Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Qua Iboe to Wilhelmshaven
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Qua Iboe to Wilhelmshaven sails about 4,782 nm laden via the Dover Strait, about 15.9 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 35.3 days and burns about 1,707 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
35.3 d
15.9 d laden
Laden distance
4,782 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,707 t
Round voyage
CO2
5,377 t
2,689 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Qua Iboe → Wilhelmshaven | 4,782 nm | 12.5 kn | 15.9 | 877 t |
Ballast Wilhelmshaven → Qua Iboe | 4,782 nm | 13 kn | 15.3 | 690 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 9,565 nm | 35.3 | 1,707 t |
Laden via the Dover Strait; ballast via the Dover Strait.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,707 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 5,377 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 2,689 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 Qua Iboe to Wilhelmshaven?
About 15 days 23 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 4,782 nm via the Dover Strait. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 35.3 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,707 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (877 t laden, 690 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 5,377 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 2,689 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.