[reginaldo]

The Panama canal saves about 8000 miles, which about 2 weeks time at 20 knots, plus fuel and crew, insurance, etc. That comes to $285k per day. Depending on the wait time (I've seen 20 days wait time in the past), that might be a rational decision even without considering late penalties.

[mistrial9]

the full journey around the southern Cape.. fierce weather down there

[toomuchtodo]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaring_Forties

https://escales.ponant.com/en/roaring-40s-furious-50s/

[m2fkxy]

and you won't find many cargo vessels doing 20 knots, that's more a fast ferry's territory.