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 23 days 19h. Ships depart from Durban (ZADUR) and arrive at Shanghai (CNSHG) with scheduled departures 2-4 times a week.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

There are scheduled container ships that depart 2-4 times a week from Durban (ZADUR) and arrive into Shanghai (CNSHG) around 23 days 19h later. These services are operated by ONE, Maersk, Maersk, Evergreen, OOCL, COSCO, ONE, ONE, ONE, ONE, ONE, ONE, Maersk and Evergreen.

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 56m. 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 7,168 Nautical Miles (13,276 Kilometres / 8,249 Miles). This distance is measured by sea between Durban (ZADUR) and Shanghai (CNSHG).

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

1.25t 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	Boeing 777-300ER+1 others
Ethiopian Airlines	Every 1-2 days	Boeing 777-200F Freighter+5 others
Cathay Pacific	Every 1-2 days	Airbus A350-900+3 others
Singapore Airlines	Every 1-2 days	Airbus A350-900+2 others
EgyptAir	1-2 times a week	Boeing 787-9+2 others
Lufthansa	2-4 times a week	Airbus A350-900
Lufthansa	Every 1-2 days	Boeing 747-8+1 others
KLM	Every 1-2 days	Boeing 777-300ER+1 others
Air France	Every 1-2 days	Boeing 777-300ER+4 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 / FAX / SA1 / SAC / SAF3 / COSCO - ZAX3 \| EMC - FAX \| GSL - SA1 \| HL - SA1 \| ONE - SAC \| OOCL - SAF3 \| PIL - FAX \| ZIM - SA1	Direct	1-2 times a week	ONE, COSCO, Evergreen, Maersk, ZIM, Gold Star, Hapag-Lloyd, OOCL, PIL
SHAKA2 / ZAX1 / SAFARI	Direct	Every 1-2 weeks	Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO
SA1 / COSCO - ZAX3 \| EMC - FAX \| GSL - SA1 \| HL - SA1 \| ONE - SAC \| OOCL - SAF3 \| PIL - FAX \| ZIM - SA1 → NE1 / AE2	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd
ZAX3 / FAX / SAF3 → ESA / TLA1 / ES1	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	Evergreen, COSCO, OOCL, PIL
SAF3 → CPX	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	OOCL
ZAX3 / FAX → CIT	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	COSCO, Evergreen
ZAX3 / SAC / SAF3 → FCE / CCX / FCS2	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	ONE, COSCO, OOCL
SAC → FE4	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	ONE
SAC → MD1	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	ONE
SAC → MD2	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	ONE
SAC → GS2	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	ONE
SAC → SX2	Transshipment	Every 2-4 weeks	ONE
SA1 / COSCO - ZAX3 \| EMC - FAX \| GSL - SA1 \| HL - SA1 \| ONE - SAC \| OOCL - SAF3 \| PIL - FAX \| ZIM - SA1 → US1 / TP11	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd
FAX → NSB	Transshipment	Every 1-2 weeks	Evergreen

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 Shanghai

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

Shipping from South Africa

Shipping to China