How Long Does It Take to Ship Cargo from Ningbo to Felixstowe?

‍Overall Performance

Ningbo-Felixstowe shipments consistently complete transit in 38-40 days, with most deliveries falling within a 35-43 day window. This relatively tight range provides supply chain planners with a reliable planning baseline for this major Asia-Europe trade lane.

Transit times can range from as fast as 32 days during optimal conditions to over 50 days during peak congestion periods. The typical range provides approximately one week of natural variability that should be factored into inventory planning.

Routing Options

Direct routing represents the standard service pattern for Ningbo-Felixstowe shipments, with the majority of cargo moving via this method. Direct vessels depart Ningbo and proceed along the Asia-Europe route without intermediate transshipment, typically completing transit in 38-40 days.

Transshipment routes are also available on this trade lane, routing through intermediate hub ports before final delivery to Felixstowe. These services can provide additional capacity options during peak seasons or when direct services are fully booked, though shippers should verify complete door-to-door timing when booking transshipment services.

For the analysis in this article, we focus primarily on direct routing, which represents the most common service method and provides the most reliable baseline for supply chain planning on this route.

Carrier Performance Comparison

Major carriers serving the Ningbo-Felixstowe route demonstrate substantial performance variation, with transit times ranging from 33 days to 49 days depending on service selection.

MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) consistently delivers the fastest transit times on this route, averaging 33-34 days. MSC's strong performance reflects optimized vessel scheduling and efficient port operations at both Ningbo and Felixstowe. For time-sensitive shipments, MSC represents the premium speed option on this trade lane.

Evergreen matches MSC's performance with transit times in the 33-34 day range, offering a competitive alternative for shippers prioritizing speed.

OOCL and COSCO both operate services averaging 40 days transit time, aligning closely with the overall route average. These carriers provide reliable mid-range service that balances speed with schedule frequency and competitive pricing.

CMA CGM operates services in the 41-42 day range, slightly slower than the route average but still within normal parameters for Asia-Europe services.

Seasonal Patterns and Planning

Transit times on the Ningbo-Felixstowe route show significant seasonal variation, ranging from 32 days in February to 48 days in November—a 16-day swing that requires careful supply chain planning.

Supply Chain Considerations

UK supply chains increasingly emphasize inventory optimization and just-in-time principles, creating demand for reliable transit times rather than merely fast ones. The data showing most shipments clustering within a 35-43 day window supports this operational pattern—predictability matters as much as pure speed.

Brexit has introduced some additional considerations for UK-bound cargo, particularly around customs documentation and clearance processes. While these primarily affect clearance after arrival rather than ocean transit, any documentation errors can add days to total door-to-door delivery times.

The Ningbo-Felixstowe route's importance to both Chinese exports and UK imports has produced well-established direct service patterns. While external factors like port congestion, canal transit schedules, and weather create some variability, supply chain planners can confidently use the 38-40 day transit window for reliable planning on this essential Asia-Europe trade lane.

When booking shipments, confirm the routing type with your carrier to understand whether the service operates as a direct call or involves transshipment at an intermediate port, as this affects both transit time and cargo tracking complexity.

‍

Last Updated: December 2025

‍

‍