Question 1

How long does it take to ship a container from South Africa to China by sea?

Accepted Answer

The shortest shipping time by sea between South Africa and China is 21 days 12h. Ships depart from Durban (ZADUR) and arrive at Shekou (CNSHK) with scheduled departures Daily.

Question 2

How regularly do container ships travel between South Africa and China?

Accepted Answer

There are scheduled container ships that depart daily from Durban (ZADUR) and arrive into Shekou (CNSHK) around 21 days 12h later. These services are operated by COSCO, COSCO, COSCO, ONE, ONE, PIL, ONE, CMA CGM, MSC, CMA CGM, CMA CGM, MSC, CMA CGM and CMA CGM.

Question 3

How long does it take to send cargo from South Africa to China by air freight?

Accepted Answer

The quickest flight from South Africa to China takes around 18h 41m. Flights depart from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) and arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).

Question 4

How often do planes fly between South Africa and China?

Accepted Answer

Scheduled flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) depart 2-4 times a week. These flights are serviced by Air China, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, EgyptAir, Lufthansa, Lufthansa, KLM and Air France and the typical transit time is around 18h 41m.

Question 5

Do dedicated cargo planes (freighters) fly between South Africa and China?

Accepted Answer

Yes there are dedicated cargo planes that fly regular scheduled services between South Africa and China. Cargo flights depart from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) and arrive at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) with departures 1-2 times a day and a average flight time of around 19h 52m. Ethiopian Airlines operates  on this route.

Question 6

What is the distance between South Africa to China by ship?

Accepted Answer

The distance between South Africa and China by cargo ship is 6,471 Nautical Miles (11,985 Kilometres / 7,447 Miles). This distance is measured by sea between Durban (ZADUR) and Shekou (CNSHK).

Question 7

What is the distance between South Africa to China by air?

Accepted Answer

The distance between South Africa and China by air is around 11,723 Kilometres (7,284 Miles). This distance is measured following typical flight paths between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).

Question 8

How much CO2 is produced when transporting a shipping container from South Africa to China by sea?

Accepted Answer

1.01t CO₂e (per TEU) is the estimated emissions output (CO2e) when transporting a typical shipping container (1 TEU) from South Africa to China. This is calculated using the overall historical emissions of the average container ship on this trade lane and dividing it by the total projected capacity.

Question 9

How much CO2 is produced when sending cargo by air from South Africa to China?

Accepted Answer

472kg CO₂e (per 100kg) is the estimated emissions output (CO2e) when sending cargo by air from South Africa to China. This is calculated by determining the total fuel burn output of various aircraft that typically fly this route and dividing it by the total available cargo capacity in KGs.

Operating carriers	Departure frequency	Aircraft types
Air China	2-4 times a week	Airbus A350-900
Emirates	1-2 times a day	Airbus A380-800+1 others
Ethiopian Airlines	Every 1-2 days	Boeing 777-200F Freighter+6 others
Cathay Pacific	Every 1-2 days	Airbus A350-900+3 others
Singapore Airlines	2-4 times a week	Airbus A350-900+2 others
EgyptAir	2-4 times a week	Airbus A330-300+1 others
Lufthansa	Every 4-6 weeks	Airbus A350-900
Lufthansa	2-4 times a week	Boeing 747-8+1 others
KLM	Every 1-2 days	Boeing 777-300ER+2 others
Air France	Every 1-2 days	Boeing 777-300ER+2 others

More Details	See carrier information, flight schedules and estimated emissions

Operating carriers	Departure frequency	Aircraft types
Ethiopian AirlinesFreighter	1-2 times a day	Boeing 777-200F Freighter+7 others
More Details	See carrier information, flight schedules and estimated emissions

Service Lines	Service Type	Departure frequency	Servicing Carriers
ZAX3 / SAF3 → KTX3	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	COSCO, OOCL
ZAX3 / SA1 / SAF3 → CAX1 / JCS / TLC1	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, OOCL
ZAX3 → JTS	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	COSCO
SA1 / SAC → MD3	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	ONE, Hapag-Lloyd
SAC → MD3	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	ONE
FAX → CCE	Transshipment	Every 2-4 weeks	PIL
SAC → MD1	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	ONE
→ PEX2	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM
Ingwe → Tiger	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	MSC
→ JPI	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM
→ CIX	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM
Ingwe → Orchid	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	MSC
→ A3SANL	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM
→	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM

More Details	See carrier information, sailing schedules and estimated emissions

Service Lines	Service Type	Departure frequency	Servicing Carriers
SA1 / SAC → FE3	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	ONE, Hapag-Lloyd
SAC → FE3	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	ONE
ZAX3 / FAX / SAF3 → AEU1 / NE1 / LL1	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	COSCO, Evergreen, OOCL
SAFARI → Dragon	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	Maersk
SHAKA2 / ZAX1 → TWS / AWE3	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM, COSCO
SHAKA2 / ZAX1 → MEX2 / AEM1	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM, COSCO
SAFARI → NEOASAS	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	Maersk
SHAKA2 / ZAX1 → ACSA3 / WSA	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM, COSCO
ZAX1 → SEA	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	COSCO
SHAKA2 / ZAX1 → SAX / AWE4	Transshipment	Every 2-4 weeks	CMA CGM, COSCO
SAFARI → IA7	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	Maersk
SHAKA2 / ZAX1 → DAH / OPNW	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM, COSCO
Ingwe → Jade	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	MSC
Ingwe → Condor	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	MSC
→ FAL5	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM
Ingwe → Santana	Transshipment	Every 2-4 weeks	MSC
Ingwe → Panda	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	MSC
→ TWS	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM
→ MEX2	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM
Ingwe → Wallaby	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	MSC
→ ACSA3	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM
→ SAX	Transshipment	Every 2-4 weeks	CMA CGM
Ingwe → Inca	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	MSC
→ DAH	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	CMA CGM
Ingwe → Pearl	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	MSC

More Details	See carrier information, sailing schedules and estimated emissions

South Africa to China By Air freight, Container ship or Road

Map / Route overview

Compare shipping modes

Air Freight

Container Ship

About Fluent Cargo

South Africa to China by Air freight

Quickest air route

OR Tambo International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport

Cargo flights

OR Tambo International Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

South Africa to China by Container ship

Quickest ocean route

Durban to Shekou

Cargo flights

Durban to Yantian

More about shipping cargo and freight from South Africa to China by Air, Ocean and Road

Shipping from South Africa

Shipping to China