Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Corpus Christi to Wilhelmshaven
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Corpus Christi to Wilhelmshaven sails about 5,241 nm laden on the open-sea route, about 17.5 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 38.3 days and burns about 1,857 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
38.3 d
17.5 d laden
Laden distance
5,241 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,857 t
Round voyage
CO2
5,851 t
2,925 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Corpus Christi → Wilhelmshaven | 5,241 nm | 12.5 kn | 17.5 | 961 t |
Ballast Wilhelmshaven → Corpus Christi | 5,241 nm | 13 kn | 16.8 | 756 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 10,482 nm | 38.3 | 1,857 t |
Laden on the open-sea route; ballast on the open-sea route.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,857 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 5,851 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 2,925 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 Corpus Christi to Wilhelmshaven?
About 17 days 11 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 5,241 nm on the open-sea route. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 38.3 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,857 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (961 t laden, 756 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 5,851 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 2,925 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.