Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Brass to Huelva
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Brass to Huelva sails about 3,438 nm laden on the open-sea route, about 11.5 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 26.5 days and burns about 1,266 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
26.5 d
11.5 d laden
Laden distance
3,438 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,266 t
Round voyage
CO2
3,989 t
1,995 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Brass → Huelva | 3,438 nm | 12.5 kn | 11.5 | 630 t |
Ballast Huelva → Brass | 3,438 nm | 13 kn | 11.0 | 496 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 6,875 nm | 26.5 | 1,266 t |
Laden on the open-sea route; ballast on the open-sea route.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,266 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 3,989 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 1,995 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 Huelva?
About 11 days 11 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 3,438 nm on the open-sea route. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 26.5 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,266 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (630 t laden, 496 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 3,989 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 1,995 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.