Shipping Cost Breakdown for 4,000 FEUs (Shanghai to Los Angeles)
This document details the estimated ship-related costs for transporting 4,000 forty-foot containers (FEUs, equivalent to 8,000 TEUs) on a single 8,000 TEU container ship (not Chinese-built) from Shanghai, China, to Los Angeles, CA, for a one-way voyage.
Assumptions
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Ship: 8,000 TEU container ship, fully loaded.
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Route: Shanghai to Los Angeles (~6,500 nautical miles, ~18 days).
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Exclusions: Cargo insurance and container offloading fees.
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Currency: USD.
Cost Breakdown
Cost Component
Estimated Cost (USD)
Fuel
$2,047,500
Crew
$49,500
Ship Insurance (H&M + P&I)
$45,617
Port Fees (Shanghai)
$33,500
Port Fees (Los Angeles)
$950,000
Maintenance and Repairs
$135,000
Administrative and Communication
$7,500
Navigation and Canal Fees
$0
Environmental and Compliance Fees
$7,500
Contingency Costs
$98,175
Total
$3,374,292
Notes
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Costs are estimates based on 2025 industry standards and may vary due to fuel prices, port congestion, or other factors.
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The ship is not Chinese-built, so U.S. port fees use standard rates (~$18/net ton) instead of the $120/container fee.
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For precise quotes, contact a freight forwarder or shipping company.
Below is a recalculated detailed list of the costs for a shipping company to transport 4,000 forty-foot containers (FEUs, equivalent to 8,000 TEUs) from Shanghai, China, to Los Angeles, CA, on a single 8,000 TEU container ship (not Chinese-built) for a one-way voyage, fully loaded. The breakdown covers only ship-related expenses, excluding cargo insurance and container offloading fees (e.g., terminal handling charges), as specified. All costs are estimated based on industry standards, recent trends as of 2025, and the clarification that the ship is not Chinese-built, which affects U.S. port fees. The list is comprehensive, including fuel, crew, ship insurance, port fees, docking, pilotage, tugboats, and other relevant ship-related costs.
Assumptions
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Ship Type: 8,000 TEU container ship (not Chinese-built), fully loaded with 4,000 FEUs (8,000 TEUs).
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Route: Shanghai, China, to Port of Los Angeles, CA (~6,500 nautical miles one way).
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Transit Time: ~18 days (including port maneuvers, based on 15–20 days average transit time).
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Fuel Type: Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO, IMO 2020 compliant).
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Container Type: Standard 40-foot containers (FEUs).
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Exclusions: Cargo insurance and container offloading fees (e.g., terminal handling charges) are not included.
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Currency: All costs in USD.
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Port Fees: Since the ship is not Chinese-built, the U.S. port fee for Chinese-built ships ($120 per container or $50/net ton) does not apply. Instead, standard U.S. port fees based on net tonnage or other metrics are used.
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Data Sources: Estimates are derived from web sources, industry reports, and reasonable extrapolations.
Complete Cost Breakdown
The following is a comprehensive list of all ship-related costs for the one-way voyage:
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Fuel Costs
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Consumption: An 8,000 TEU vessel consumes ~150–200 metric tons of VLSFO per day at cruising speed (18–20 knots). Assuming 175 tons/day for 18 days (including port maneuvers):
175 tons/day×18 days=3,150 tons175tons/day×18days=3,150tons -
Fuel Price: VLSFO price in 2025 is ~$600–$700 per metric ton. Using $650/ton:
3,150 tons×$650/ton=$2,047,5003,150tons×$650/ton=$2,047,500 -
Total Fuel Cost: $2,047,500
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Crew Costs
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Crew Size: Typical crew of 20–25 for an 8,000 TEU ship. Assuming 22 crew members.
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Daily Wages: Average cost per crew member (salaries, benefits, provisions) is ~$100–$150/day. Using $125/day for 18 days:
22 crew×$125/day×18 days=$49,50022crew×$125/day×18days=$49,500 -
Total Crew Cost: $49,500
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Ship Insurance (Hull and Machinery, Protection and Indemnity)
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Hull and Machinery (H&M) Insurance: Covers damage to the ship. An 8,000 TEU ship is valued at ~$80–$100 million. Assuming $90 million and an annual premium of 0.75%:
$90,000,000×0.0075=$675,000/year$90,000,000×0.0075=$675,000/year
For 18 days (18/365 of a year):
$675,000×(18/365)=$33,288$675,000×(18/365)=$33,288 -
Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Insurance: Covers third-party liabilities (e.g., collisions, pollution). Annual P&I premium is ~$200,000–$300,000. Assuming $250,000/year:
$250,000×(18/365)=$12,329$250,000×(18/365)=$12,329 -
Total Ship Insurance Cost: $33,288+$12,329=$45,617$33,288+$12,329=$45,617
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Port Fees (Shanghai)
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Docking Fees: Based on gross tonnage (GT, ~100,000 for an 8,000 TEU ship). Shanghai charges ~$0.10–$0.20/GT. Using $0.15/GT:
100,000 GT×$0.15=$15,000100,000GT×$0.15=$15,000 -
Pilotage: Mandatory pilot services, ~$2,000–$5,000 per call. Assuming $3,500.
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Tugboat Services: 2–3 tugs for a ship this size, ~$5,000–$10,000. Assuming $7,500.
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Port Dues and Other Fees: Mooring, berthage, and administrative fees, ~$5,000–$10,000. Assuming $7,500.
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Total Shanghai Port Fees: $15,000+$3,500+$7,500+$7,500=$33,500$15,000+$3,500+$7,500+$7,500=$33,500
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Port Fees (Los Angeles)
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Docking Fees: Based on vessel length (~300 meters for an 8,000 TEU ship) and stay (2 days). LA charges ~$10,000–$20,000. Assuming $15,000.
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Pilotage: ~$5,000–$10,000 per call. Assuming $7,500.
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Tugboat Services: 2–3 tugs, ~$10,000–$15,000. Assuming $12,500.
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Port Dues: Based on net tonnage (~50,000 NT). Standard rate is ~$18/NT:
50,000 NT×$18/NT=$900,00050,000NT×$18/NT=$900,000 -
Other Fees: Wharfage, environmental fees, and administrative costs, ~$10,000–$20,000. Assuming $15,000.
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Total Los Angeles Port Fees: $15,000+$7,500+$12,500+$900,000+$15,000=$950,000$15,000+$7,500+$12,500+$900,000+$15,000=$950,000
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Daily Maintenance: Routine maintenance (e.g., engine upkeep, equipment checks) costs ~$5,000–$10,000/day for a ship this size. Assuming $7,500/day for 18 days:
$7,500×18=$135,000$7,500×18=$135,000 -
Total Maintenance Cost: $135,000
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Administrative and Communication Costs
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Port Agents and Documentation: Fees for port agents, customs documentation, and communication (e.g., satellite, logistics coordination), ~$5,000–$10,000 per voyage. Assuming $7,500.
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Total Administrative Cost: $7,500
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Navigation and Canal Fees
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Navigation Fees: No canal fees apply (e.g., Panama or Suez) for this direct Pacific route. Minimal navigation fees (e.g., AIS, VTS) are included in port fees.
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Total Navigation Cost: $0
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Environmental and Compliance Fees
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Emissions Fees: Ports like LA may charge for emissions compliance (e.g., shore power usage). Estimated at ~$5,000–$10,000. Assuming $7,500.
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Total Environmental Cost: $7,500
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Contingency Costs
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Unexpected Costs: Minor delays, small repairs, or additional port charges, typically 2–5% of total costs. Assuming 3% of subtotal (~$3,272,500):
$3,272,500×0.03=$98,175$3,272,500×0.03=$98,175 -
Total Contingency Cost: $98,175
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Notes
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Port Fees Adjustment: Since the ship is not Chinese-built, the U.S. port fee is based on net tonnage ($18/NT), resulting in a higher Los Angeles port fee ($950,000) compared to the previous estimate’s $530,000 (which included a $480,000 container-based fee). This reflects standard U.S. port tariffs for non-Chinese-built ships.
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Completeness: The list includes all identifiable ship-related costs, with no additional categories excluded (e.g., no ballast water fees or security fees apply significantly on this route).
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Variability: Costs may fluctuate due to market conditions, fuel price changes, or port-specific charges. For example, LA’s high port dues reflect its infrastructure and environmental regulations.
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Verification: For exact costs, consult a shipping company like Maersk, COSCO (excluding Chinese-built ship fees), or a freight forwarder like Super International Shipping.
The total estimated cost for the voyage is $3,374,292.
CHINA VS VIETNAM FEES
Shipping Cost Breakdown for 4,000 FEUs (Vietnam to Los Angeles)
This document details the estimated ship-related costs for transporting 4,000 forty-foot containers (FEUs, equivalent to 8,000 TEUs) on a single 8,000 TEU container ship (not Chinese-built) from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to Los Angeles, CA, for a one-way voyage.
Assumptions
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Ship: 8,000 TEU container ship, fully loaded.
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Route: HCMC to Los Angeles (~7,200 nautical miles, ~16 days).
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Exclusions: Cargo insurance and container offloading fees.
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Currency: USD.
Cost Breakdown
Cost Component
Estimated Cost (USD)
Fuel
$1,820,000
Crew
$44,000
Ship Insurance (H&M + P&I)
$40,548
Port Fees (Ho Chi Minh City)
$26,500
Port Fees (Los Angeles)
$950,000
Maintenance and Repairs
$120,000
Administrative and Communication
$7,500
Navigation and Canal Fees
$0
Environmental and Compliance Fees
$7,500
Contingency Costs
$88,905
Total
$3,104,953
Comparison with Shanghai to Los Angeles
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Shanghai–LA Total Cost: $3,374,292
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Vietnam–LA Total Cost: $3,104,953
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Difference: -$269,339 (Vietnam route is cheaper, primarily due to shorter transit time and lower departure port fees).
Notes
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Costs are estimates based on 2025 industry standards and may vary due to fuel prices, port congestion, or other factors.
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The ship is not Chinese-built, so U.S. port fees use standard rates (~$18/net ton).
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For precise quotes, contact a freight forwarder or shipping company.
Container Mix for 8,000 TEU Shipment (Vietnam to Los Angeles)
This document estimates the average balance mix of 20-foot (TEU) and 40-foot (FEU) containers for a fully loaded 8,000 TEU container ship on a Vietnam to Los Angeles route.
Assumptions
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Ship: 8,000 TEU container ship, fully loaded.
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Route: Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles.
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Basis: Industry trends for transpacific trade, with 40-foot containers typically accounting for ~70% of TEUs.
Container Mix
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By TEU Contribution:
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20-foot containers: 30% (2,400 TEUs)
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40-foot containers: 70% (5,600 TEUs)
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By Container Count:
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20-foot containers: 46% (2,400 containers)
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40-foot containers: 54% (2,800 containers)
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Notes
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Total: 8,000 TEUs (5,200 containers).
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40-foot containers dominate due to economies of scale and cargo types (e.g., consumer goods).
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Mix may vary based on cargo specifics (e.g., heavy goods increase 20-foot container use).
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For precise data, consult shipping companies or freight forwarders.
Cost per TEU Vietnam to Port Los Angeles:
$ 3,104,953 / 8000 = $ 388.12 P/TEU.
Calculated to pay per 1 TEU freight only $ 1.700.00 (x8000) $ 13.600.000.00 Profit on 1 shipment $10.495.047.00. !!!!