Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: LOOP to Wilhelmshaven
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from LOOP to Wilhelmshaven sails about 4,948 nm laden on the open-sea route, about 16.5 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 36.3 days and burns about 1,761 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
36.3 d
16.5 d laden
Laden distance
4,948 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,761 t
Round voyage
CO2
5,548 t
2,774 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden LOOP → Wilhelmshaven | 4,948 nm | 12.5 kn | 16.5 | 907 t |
Ballast Wilhelmshaven → LOOP | 4,948 nm | 13 kn | 15.9 | 714 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 9,895 nm | 36.3 | 1,761 t |
Laden on the open-sea route; ballast on the open-sea route.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,761 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 5,548 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 2,774 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 LOOP to Wilhelmshaven?
About 16 days 12 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 4,948 nm on the open-sea route. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 36.3 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,761 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (907 t laden, 714 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 5,548 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 2,774 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.