Knot Speed Measurement

Knot Speed Measurement is a defined metric used in marine logistics to quantify a vessel’s speed, with one knot equivalent to one nautical mile per hour (1.852 kilometers or 1.1508 miles per hour). This parameter is critical for determining voyage lengths, optimizing shipping routes, and maintaining fuel efficiency. Because nautical miles take into account the curvature of the Earth, knots provide a more accurate picture of marine travel distance and time than land-based measurements like kilometers or miles per hour.

In global freight operations and platforms such as CargoWise, knots are extensively employed in maritime freight timetables, tracking systems, and transit time calculations. Shippers use knot speed data to calculate expected time of arrival (ETA), analyze variances, and manage vessel performance. Faster knot speeds may shorten travel times but increase fuel consumption, whereas slower speeds—also known as slow steaming—are frequently employed to lessen environmental effects and operating expenses. Knot speed is thus an operational and environmental key performance indicator in maritime logistics.