Sea Freight Distance Calculator

Great Circle Distance Formula:

\[ Distance = \arccos(\sin(lat1) \times \sin(lat2) + \cos(lat1) \times \cos(lat2) \times \cos(lon2-lon1)) \times 3440 \]

Latitude Point 1:

degrees

Longitude Point 1:

degrees

Latitude Point 2:

degrees

Longitude Point 2:

degrees

Sea Freight Distance:

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1. What is Sea Freight Distance?

The Sea Freight Distance is the shortest path between two points on the Earth's surface (great circle distance) measured in nautical miles. This calculation is essential for maritime navigation and shipping logistics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Great Circle Distance formula:

\[ Distance = \arccos(\sin(lat1) \times \sin(lat2) + \cos(lat1) \times \cos(lat2) \times \cos(lon2-lon1)) \times 3440 \]

Where:

\( lat1, lat2 \) — Latitude coordinates in degrees
\( lon1, lon2 \) — Longitude coordinates in degrees
3440 — Approximate radius of Earth in nautical miles

Explanation: The formula calculates the central angle between two points on a sphere and converts it to distance using the Earth's radius.

3. Importance of Distance Calculation

Details: Accurate sea distance calculation is crucial for voyage planning, fuel estimation, shipping cost calculation, and ETA predictions in maritime transportation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal degrees (positive for North/East, negative for South/West). The calculator automatically converts degrees to radians for the trigonometric functions.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use nautical miles instead of kilometers?
A: Nautical miles are the standard unit of measurement in maritime and aviation navigation as they relate directly to degrees of latitude.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation provides the theoretical shortest distance. Actual shipping routes may differ due to navigational constraints, currents, or political boundaries.

Q3: What's the difference between great circle and rhumb line?
A: Great circle is the shortest path, while rhumb line maintains constant bearing. Great circle routes are typically shorter but require constant course adjustments.

Q4: Can I use this for air distance as well?
A: Yes, the same formula applies for air navigation, though flight paths may be affected by air traffic control restrictions.

Q5: What's the maximum possible distance?
A: The maximum great circle distance is approximately 10,800 nautical miles (half the Earth's circumference).