Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Georgetown to Rotterdam
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Georgetown to Rotterdam sails about 4,342 nm laden via the Dover Strait, about 14.5 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 32.4 days and burns about 1,562 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
32.4 d
14.5 d laden
Laden distance
4,342 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,562 t
Round voyage
CO2
4,922 t
2,461 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Georgetown → Rotterdam | 4,342 nm | 12.5 kn | 14.5 | 796 t |
Ballast Rotterdam → Georgetown | 4,342 nm | 13 kn | 13.9 | 626 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 8,683 nm | 32.4 | 1,562 t |
Laden via the Dover Strait; ballast via the Dover Strait.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,562 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 4,922 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 2,461 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 Georgetown to Rotterdam?
About 14 days 11 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 4,342 nm via the Dover Strait. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 32.4 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,562 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (796 t laden, 626 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 4,922 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 2,461 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.