Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Brass to Cartagena
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Brass to Cartagena sails about 3,670 nm laden via the Strait of Gibraltar, about 12.2 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 28.0 days and burns about 1,342 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
28.0 d
12.2 d laden
Laden distance
3,670 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,342 t
Round voyage
CO2
4,229 t
2,115 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Brass → Cartagena | 3,670 nm | 12.5 kn | 12.2 | 673 t |
Ballast Cartagena → Brass | 3,670 nm | 13 kn | 11.8 | 529 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 7,340 nm | 28.0 | 1,342 t |
Laden via the Strait of Gibraltar; ballast via the Strait of Gibraltar.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,342 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 4,229 tonnes of CO2. One end of the voyage is in the EU ETS area, so half of the emissions at sea count, plus emissions at the EU berth: about 2,115 tonnes of CO2, or the same number of EU allowances.
From 2026 shipping companies surrender allowances for 100% of in-scope emissions. Who pays is for the charter party to say.
Assumptions
- Cargo
- 270,000 t
- Laden speed
- 12.5 kn at 55 t/day
- Ballast speed
- 13 kn at 45 t/day
- Port time
- 4 days at 35 t/day
- Laden draft
- 22.5 m
- CO2 factor
- 3.151 t per t fuel
Other ship sizes on this route
Questions
How long does a VLCC take from Brass to Cartagena?
About 12 days 6 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 3,670 nm via the Strait of Gibraltar. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 28.0 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,342 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (673 t laden, 529 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 4,229 tonnes of CO2.
Is this voyage in the EU Emissions Trading System?
Yes. One end is in the EU ETS area, so half the sea emissions count, plus emissions at the EU berth: about 2,115 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.