Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Cabinda to Cartagena
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Cabinda to Cartagena sails about 4,011 nm laden via the Strait of Gibraltar, about 13.4 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 30.2 days and burns about 1,454 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
30.2 d
13.4 d laden
Laden distance
4,011 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,454 t
Round voyage
CO2
4,581 t
2,291 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Cabinda → Cartagena | 4,011 nm | 12.5 kn | 13.4 | 735 t |
Ballast Cartagena → Cabinda | 4,011 nm | 13 kn | 12.9 | 579 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 8,023 nm | 30.2 | 1,454 t |
Laden via the Strait of Gibraltar; ballast via the Strait of Gibraltar.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,454 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 4,581 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 2,291 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 Cabinda to Cartagena?
About 13 days 9 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 4,011 nm via the Strait of Gibraltar. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 30.2 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,454 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (735 t laden, 579 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 4,581 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 2,291 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.