Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Escravos to Cartagena
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Escravos to Cartagena sails about 3,319 nm laden via the Strait of Gibraltar, about 11.1 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 25.7 days and burns about 1,227 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
25.7 d
11.1 d laden
Laden distance
3,319 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,227 t
Round voyage
CO2
3,867 t
1,934 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Escravos → Cartagena | 3,319 nm | 12.5 kn | 11.1 | 609 t |
Ballast Cartagena → Escravos | 3,319 nm | 13 kn | 10.6 | 479 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 6,638 nm | 25.7 | 1,227 t |
Laden via the Strait of Gibraltar; ballast via the Strait of Gibraltar.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,227 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 3,867 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 1,934 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 Escravos to Cartagena?
About 11 days 2 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 3,319 nm via the Strait of Gibraltar. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 25.7 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,227 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (609 t laden, 479 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 3,867 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 1,934 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.