Voyage estimate
VLCC voyage: Texas City to Rotterdam
A VLCC carrying 270,000 tonnes from Texas City to Rotterdam sails about 4,982 nm laden via the Dover Strait, about 16.6 days at 12.5 knots. With the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, the round voyage takes about 36.6 days and burns about 1,772 tonnes of fuel.
Round voyage
36.6 d
16.6 d laden
Laden distance
4,982 nm
Shortest route
Fuel (VLSFO)
1,772 t
Round voyage
CO2
5,584 t
2,792 t in EU ETS
Round voyage breakdown
| Leg | Distance | Speed | Days | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laden Texas City → Rotterdam | 4,982 nm | 12.5 kn | 16.6 | 913 t |
Ballast Rotterdam → Texas City | 4,982 nm | 13 kn | 16.0 | 719 t |
Port time Loading and discharge | — | — | 4.0 | 140 t |
| Round voyage | 9,965 nm | 36.6 | 1,772 t |
Laden via the Dover Strait; ballast via the Dover Strait.
Emissions and EU ETS
The round voyage burns about 1,772 tonnes of VLSFO, emitting about 5,584 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 2,792 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 Texas City to Rotterdam?
About 16 days 15 hours laden at 12.5 knots over 4,982 nm via the Dover Strait. The full round voyage, with the ballast leg back and 4 days in port, takes about 36.6 days.
How much fuel does a VLCC burn on this voyage?
About 1,772 tonnes of VLSFO for the round voyage (913 t laden, 719 t ballast, 140 t in port), emitting about 5,584 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 2,792 tonnes of CO2, which means the same number of EU allowances to surrender.