Sea distance from Hamburg to Shanghai
The sea route from Hamburg (Germany) to Shanghai (China) is about 10,926 nautical miles, which is 20,234 km or 12,573 statute miles. The route transits Kiel Canal and Strait of Dover and Strait of Gibraltar and Suez Canal and Bab-el-Mandeb and Strait of Malacca. That is about 137% longer than the direct great-circle line, because the practical route follows coastlines and shipping lanes.
Voyage time by boat speed
Time underway is distance divided by speed. These are continuous-passage figures with no stops or weather margin.
| Boat and speed | Time underway |
|---|---|
| Sailboat, conservative (5 kn) | 91d 1h |
| Sailboat, average (6 kn) | 75d 21h |
| Displacement trawler (8 kn) | 56d 22h |
| Fast trawler (10 kn) | 45d 13h |
| Planing motor yacht (15 kn) | 30d 8h |
| Fast motor yacht (20 kn) | 22d 18h |
Planning estimate, not navigation
This distance is computed over the open Eurostat shipping-lane network. It is a realistic passage length for planning, but your sailed distance will differ with weather routing, currents, draft, and the exact berths you leave from and arrive at. Always verify against official charts.
Plan this passage properly
Open Hamburg to Shanghai in the Marine OS route planner: it suggests the sea route, then you drag waypoints, set your speed and fuel burn, and check weather and tides along the way.
Open this route in the plannerFrequently asked questions
How far is Shanghai from Hamburg by sea?
About 10,926 nautical miles (20,234 km / 12,573 statute miles) along the practical sea route, which transits Kiel Canal and Strait of Dover and Strait of Gibraltar and Suez Canal and Bab-el-Mandeb and Strait of Malacca. The straight-line distance is shorter, but boats follow coastlines, channels, and traffic lanes.
How long does it take to sail from Hamburg to Shanghai?
At a typical sailing average of 6 knots it is about 75d 21h underway. A 10-knot trawler needs about 45d 13h, and a 20-knot motor yacht about 22d 18h. Add margin for weather, currents, and stops.
How is this distance calculated?
It is computed over the open Eurostat global shipping-lane network, the same kind of network freight routing tools use. It is a realistic planning estimate, not a navigation product: your sailed distance will vary with weather routing, draft, and the exact harbors you use.
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