Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Soyo to Wilhelmshaven
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Soyo to Wilhelmshaven sails about 5,091 nm laden via the Dover Strait, about 17.0 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 37.3 days and burns about 1,808 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
37.3 d
17.0 d laden
Laden distance
5,091 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,808 t
Round voyage
CO2
5,696 t
2,848 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Soyo → Wilhelmshaven | 5,091 nm | 12.5 kn | 17.0 | 933 t |
Ballast Wilhelmshaven → Soyo | 5,091 nm | 13 kn | 16.3 | 734 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 10,182 nm | 37.3 | 1,808 t |
Laden via the Dover Strait; ballast via the Dover Strait.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,808 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 5,696 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 2,848 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 Soyo to Wilhelmshaven?
About 16 days 23 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 5,091 nm via the Dover Strait. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 37.3 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,808 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (933 t laden, 734 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 5,696 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 2,848 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.