As of October 2026, port-to-port sea freight from Gujarat typically takes about a week or two to the Gulf, three to five weeks to northern Europe and the US East Coast, and around four to five weeks to the US West Coast. The real figure depends on the carrier, the number of transhipments and whether the ship uses the Suez Canal or sails around Africa.
These are planning ranges, not promises. Shipping routes have changed several times since late 2023, and they are still changing. Always check the current schedule for your exact service before you promise a date to your customer.
Typical ranges, as of October 2026
- Gulf: direct sailings from west India to UAE ports have been listed at about four days on freight platforms, with averages nearer ten days once transhipment and waiting are included. In 2026 routing to ports inside the Strait of Hormuz has been heavily disrupted (see below).
- Northern Europe: a carrier network table from February 2025 showed Mundra to Rotterdam at about 26 days via Suez and about 37 days via the Cape of Good Hope.
- US East Coast: a July 2026 freight forwarder guide put Mundra to the East Coast at about 20 to 24 days via Suez and 33 to 38 days via the Cape.
- US West Coast: the same guide put Mundra to Los Angeles and Long Beach at about 28 to 32 days.
Transhipments add time
Each extra transhipment adds days. The July 2026 guide estimated a second transhipment adds about 3 to 7 days. For tiles, every transhipment is also another set of crane lifts, so a direct service is usually the better choice.
Red Sea and Suez routing
From late 2023, attacks on shipping in the Red Sea pushed most carriers to sail around the Cape of Good Hope. That adds roughly 10 to 14 days on India to Europe and India to US East Coast routes.
In 2026 carriers began returning to Suez, but the return is partial. Trade reports in October 2026 put Suez container capacity at about half of 2023 levels, with some carriers still routing via the Cape and analysts expecting a fuller return around early 2027. A ship was fired on off Yemen in early October 2026, so the situation can reverse. Ask your forwarder which route your specific vessel will take.
The Gulf in 2026
The Gulf is normally the shortest and simplest route from Gujarat. In 2026 it is not. Since the war in the region began early in the year, major container lines have suspended services through the Strait of Hormuz. As of mid-October 2026, trade reporting said major carriers had not resumed Hormuz transits.
Cargo for the UAE has been landed at ports outside the strait, mainly Khorfakkan, and also Fujairah and Sohar in Oman, then trucked inland. Cargo for Saudi Arabia may go through Red Sea ports such as Jeddah. This adds handling, trucking and time. If you import into the Gulf, check the current routing and the inland leg with your forwarder before you book.
Planning your full timeline
Sea freight is only one part. Add production, the inland trip to the port and the wait for the vessel, then customs clearance at destination. See how long it takes to get tiles from Morbi to the port and which ports Morbi exporters use. If you buy on CIF terms, the factory picks the service, so read FOB, CIF or DAP before you sign.
Next step
We confirm the vessel, route and cut-off with the factory's forwarder and keep you informed from loading to departure. To plan an order around current shipping times, book a free sourcing review.