Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Sidi Kerir to Wilhelmshaven
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Sidi Kerir to Wilhelmshaven sails about 3,410 nm laden via the Strait of Gibraltar and Dover Strait, about 11.4 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 26.3 days and burns about 1,257 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
26.3 d
11.4 d laden
Laden distance
3,410 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,257 t
Round voyage
CO2
3,960 t
1,980 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Sidi Kerir → Wilhelmshaven | 3,410 nm | 12.5 kn | 11.4 | 625 t |
Ballast Wilhelmshaven → Sidi Kerir | 3,410 nm | 13 kn | 10.9 | 492 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 6,819 nm | 26.3 | 1,257 t |
Laden via the Strait of Gibraltar and Dover Strait; ballast via the Strait of Gibraltar and Dover Strait.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,257 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 3,960 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 1,980 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 Sidi Kerir to Wilhelmshaven?
About 11 days 9 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 3,410 nm via the Strait of Gibraltar and Dover Strait. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 26.3 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,257 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (625 t laden, 492 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 3,960 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 1,980 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.