Last updated: 23 October 2026

The sea changes with the seasons, and so does your voyage. The same crossing can be glassy calm in June and a rollercoaster in January. Here is the best time of year for cargo ship travel on the main routes, and the seasons to avoid if you’re prone to seasickness.

General patterns only. Weather varies every year, and ships route around storms.

The North Atlantic

The UK–North America route is the most popular, and also the most seasonal.

• Summer (June to August): usually the calmest, with long daylight hours
• Spring and autumn: good value and fewer passengers, with occasional rough days
• Winter: frequent storms and big swells. Experienced sea travellers enjoy it, but it is not for the seasick.

Read how long it takes to cross the Atlantic by ship et par bateau, du Royaume-Uni vers les États-Unis.

Asia and the monsoon

On Europe–Asia voyages, the southwest monsoon (about June to September) brings strong winds and big swells in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Between October and April conditions are generally much calmer. See cargo ship to Singapore et cargo ship to China.

Australia and New Zealand

The southern summer (December to February) is warmest. Voyages through the Southern Ocean in the southern winter can be rough. See expédier d'Angleterre en Australie.

Hurricane and typhoon seasons

• Atlantic hurricanes: June to November, peaking August to October
• Western Pacific typhoons: mostly May to November
• Indian Ocean cyclones: vary by region

Ships track storms carefully and change course or speed to avoid them, but this can delay your arrival.

Other things to consider

1. Daylight: northern routes have long days in summer and short ones in winter.
2. Availability: summer voyages fill early, so book ahead.
3. Prix : off-season voyages can be easier to get.
4. Seasickness: if you suffer, choose the calmest season. See seasickness on a cargo ship.

Learn how ships cope with bad weather in what happens to a cargo ship in a storm, and understand the forecasts in the shipping forecast explained.

Foire aux questions