Ports & Routes
Global Port Intelligence
| Path | Records | Actual median | P25–P75 range | TS dwell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| via Ningbo | 44 | 45.5d | 43.5–48.0 d | 7.64d |
| via Shanghai | 30 | 40.1d | 36.0–42.1 d | 5.24d |
| via Qingdao > Vizhinjam Seaport | 29 | 56.4d | 53.5–62.8 d | 7.0d |
| Direct | 25 | 35.8d | 35.8–35.8 d | — |
| via Singapore | 21 | 39.8d | 30.8–46.8 d | 6.0d |
All values are actuals from tracked container records. Paths flagged low n have fewer than 20 records and should be read as directional.
The median transit time is 35.8 days. This is based on 12 containers tracked end-to-end on this exact direct path.
Most containers arrive within 35.8–35.8 days (P25–P75 of 149 tracked records on this lane). Plan with this range, not a single number.
MSC line operates direct service on this lane in our tracked dataset.
Yes. Tracked transshipment options include: Ningbo (45.5d total, 44 records); Shanghai (40.1d total, 30 records); Qingdao > Vizhinjam Seaport (56.4d total, 29 records); Singapore (39.8d total, 21 records).
Approximately 41.6 days door-to-door. The median gate-in dwell at Tianjin is 3.01 days. Vessel sail time from Tianjin to Colombo is 35.8 days. The median gate-out dwell at Colombo is 2.82 days.
Container shipping from Tianjin to Colombo. Our tracked dataset for this lane includes 149 records across qualifying paths. Of those, 12 containers were tracked end-to-end on the direct path (literally booked from Tianjin to Colombo with no transshipment). The median sail time on direct service is 35.8 days. Most shipments arrive within 35.8 to 35.8 days, the P25–P75 range covering the middle half of observed transits.
The typical door-to-door figure is 41.6 days. Median gate-in dwell at Tianjin is 3.01 days, representing the time a container spends at the origin terminal between arrival at the gate and loading onto the vessel. Vessel sail time from Tianjin to Colombo is 35.8 days. Median gate-out dwell at Colombo is 2.82 days, covering discharge and the time before pickup at the destination terminal.
Direct service — meaning no transshipment between origin and destination — is the dominant routing on this corridor. It is supported by 25 leg-level observations on the direct segment. Of those, 12 were containers literally booked direct from Tianjin to Colombo and tracked end-to-end on this exact path. MSC operates the dominant tracked direct service. On the direct segment, the median sail time is 35.8 days, and the P25–P75 range runs from 35.8 to 35.8 days.
4 transshipment alternatives appear in the dataset, each routing a container through one or more hub ports between Tianjin and Colombo. The Ningbo-routed path takes a median of 45.5 days based on 44 records, with a P25–P75 range of 43.5 to 48.0 days. Median dwell at the hub terminal on this path is 7.64 days. The Shanghai-routed path takes a median of 40.1 days based on 30 records, with a P25–P75 range of 36.0 to 42.1 days. Median dwell at the hub terminal on this path is 5.24 days. The Qingdao and Vizhinjam Seaport-routed path takes a median of 56.4 days based on 29 records, with a P25–P75 range of 53.5 to 62.8 days. Median dwell at the hub terminal on this path is 7.0 days. Additional tracked transshipment options through Singapore represent smaller volume on this corridor.
For planning purposes, treat the 35.8 to 35.8 day P25–P75 range as the realistic arrival window for direct service. About half of all observed direct shipments fell within that 0.0-day spread. When committing door-to-door dates to consignees, account for an additional 3.01 days of gate-in dwell at Tianjin and 2.82 days of gate-out dwell at Colombo on top of the chosen sail time.