Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Freeport to Gdansk
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Freeport to Gdansk sails about 5,580 nm laden on the open-sea route, about 18.6 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 40.5 days and burns about 1,968 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
40.5 d
18.6 d laden
Laden distance
5,580 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,968 t
Round voyage
CO2
6,200 t
3,100 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Freeport → Gdansk | 5,580 nm | 12.5 kn | 18.6 | 1,023 t |
Ballast Gdansk → Freeport | 5,580 nm | 13 kn | 17.9 | 805 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 11,159 nm | 40.5 | 1,968 t |
Laden on the open-sea route; ballast on the open-sea route.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,968 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 6,200 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 3,100 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 Freeport to Gdansk?
About 18 days 14 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 5,580 nm on the open-sea route. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 40.5 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,968 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (1,023 t laden, 805 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 6,200 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 3,100 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.