Tonne Mile Route Explorer
Move the same cargo between fixed agricultural ports and see why distance—not tonnes alone—determines how much vessel capacity the trade absorbs.
Read the freight balance-sheet lessonConcept · Distance creates freight demand
Move the same tonnes over a different sea.
Select a corridor and vessel class. The model compares it with a competing origin serving the same destination.
The selected illustrative route runs from Santos to Shanghai. The alternative illustrative route runs from Kalama · Pacific Northwest to Shanghai. Fixed sailing distances, not the drawn paths, drive the calculation.
Use the map controls to zoom. On a keyboard, focus the map and use the arrow keys to explore.
SelectedSantos → Shanghai12,500 nm · 12,500m tonne-miles
Alternative originKalama · Pacific Northwest → Shanghai5,700 nm · 5,700m tonne-miles
Answer explainedWhy does the result move?Open or close the model FAQ
Every selectable corridor uses a fixed illustrative distance. Map paths are schematic. Vessel days add four port days per equivalent vessel load and remain indicative, not a voyage estimate; changing vessel class does not change tonne-mile demand. Tonne-miles describe demand for transport capacity; they do not determine the freight rate on their own.
Tonne-mile demand = cargo metric tonnes × sailing distance in nautical miles