Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Esmeraldas to Trieste
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Esmeraldas to Trieste sails about 11,619 nm laden via the Strait of Magellan and Strait of Gibraltar, about 38.7 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 63.8 days and burns about 3,216 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
63.8 d
38.7 d laden
Laden distance
11,619 nm
Avoiding the Panama Canal
Fuel (VLSFO)
3,216 t
Round voyage
CO2
10,134 t
5,067 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Esmeraldas → Trieste | 11,619 nm | 12.5 kn | 38.7 | 2,130 t |
Ballast Trieste → Esmeraldas | 6,559 nm | 13 kn | 21.0 | 946 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 18,178 nm | 63.8 | 3,216 t |
Laden via the Strait of Magellan and Strait of Gibraltar; ballast via the Panama Canal and Strait of Gibraltar.
A laden VLCC draws about 22.5 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 3,216 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 10,134 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 5,067 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 Esmeraldas to Trieste?
About 38 days 18 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 11,619 nm via the Strait of Magellan and Strait of Gibraltar. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 63.8 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 3,216 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (2,130 t laden, 946 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 10,134 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 5,067 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.