There are two main routes for shipping from China to the UK:
Southern Route: Starting from Shanghai, passing through the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, Strait of Malacca into the Indian Ocean, then westward through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, and finally through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Atlantic Ocean to reach the UK. The main straits that need to be passed through this route include the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Mandeb and the Strait of Gibraltar. (However, due to the Red Sea crisis, all ships currently choose to detour and do not pass through the Suez Canal)
Northern Route: Starting from Shanghai, crossing the Pacific Ocean, passing through the Panama Canal into the Atlantic Ocean, and finally reaching the UK 3. This route is relatively long, but it can avoid the congestion of the Suez Canal
Specific route description
Southern route:
Shanghai – East China Sea – Taiwan Strait – South China Sea – Strait of Malacca – Indian Ocean – Arabian Sea – Bab el-Mandeb Strait – Red Sea – Suez Canal – Mediterranean Sea – Strait of Gibraltar – Atlantic Ocean – United Kingdom 12.
Northern route:
Shanghai – Pacific Ocean – Panama Canal – Atlantic Ocean – United Kingdom
Shipping time and cost
Shipping time depends on the specific route chosen and weather conditions. The southern route usually takes 20-30 days, while the northern route may take longer because it needs to traverse a greater distance. In terms of cost, the southern route is usually more economical than the northern route because of the higher tolls of the Panama Canal
