Voyage estimate
Suezmax voyage: Esmeraldas to Rotterdam
A Suezmax carrying 130,000 tonnes from Esmeraldas to Rotterdam sails about 10,973 nm laden via the Strait of Magellan and Dover Strait, about 36.6 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 57.7 days and burns about 2,129 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
57.7 d
36.6 d laden
Laden distance
10,973 nm
Avoiding the Panama Canal
Fuel (VLSFO)
2,129 t
Round voyage
CO2
6,710 t
3,355 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Esmeraldas → Rotterdam | 10,973 nm | 12.5 kn | 36.6 | 1,463 t |
Ballast Rotterdam → Esmeraldas | 5,355 nm | 13 kn | 17.2 | 566 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 100 t |
| Round voyage | 16,328 nm | 57.7 | 2,129 t |
Laden via the Strait of Magellan and Dover Strait; ballast via the Panama Canal and Dover Strait.
A laden Suezmax draws about 17 m, deeper than the Panama Canal's 15.2 m limit, so the laden leg takes a longer route: avoiding the Panama Canal.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 2,129 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 6,710 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 3,355 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
- 130,000 t
- Laden speed
- 12.5 kn at 40 t/day
- Ballast speed
- 13 kn at 33 t/day
- Port time
- 4 days at 25 t/day
- Laden draft
- 17 m
- CO2 factor
- 3.151 t per t fuel
Other ship sizes on this route
Questions
How long does a Suezmax take from Esmeraldas to Rotterdam?
About 36 days 14 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 10,973 nm via the Strait of Magellan and Dover Strait. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 57.7 days.
How much fuel does a Suezmax burn on this voyage?
About 2,129 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (1,463 t laden, 566 t ballast, 100 t in port), emitting about 6,710 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 3,355 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.