Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Forcados to Augusta
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Forcados to Augusta sails about 4,114 nm laden via the Strait of Gibraltar, about 13.7 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 30.9 days and burns about 1,488 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
30.9 d
13.7 d laden
Laden distance
4,114 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,488 t
Round voyage
CO2
4,687 t
2,344 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Forcados → Augusta | 4,114 nm | 12.5 kn | 13.7 | 754 t |
Ballast Augusta → Forcados | 4,114 nm | 13 kn | 13.2 | 593 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 8,228 nm | 30.9 | 1,488 t |
Laden via the Strait of Gibraltar; ballast via the Strait of Gibraltar.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,488 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 4,687 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 2,344 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 Forcados to Augusta?
About 13 days 17 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 4,114 nm via the Strait of Gibraltar. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 30.9 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,488 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (754 t laden, 593 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 4,687 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 2,344 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.