Euronav Compass

While headline charter rates fluctuate, the fundamental value driver for Euronav remains the tonne-mile. In 2026, we are witnessing a bifurcation of trade flows that rewards the modern, fuel-efficient vessel.

The result? Even with flat global oil demand, the distance a barrel travels has increased by an estimated 4% year-on-year. For a VLCC, this translates directly into elevated utilization rates for the remainder of 2026.

The Euronav Compass is a 333-meter-long, 60-meter-wide VLCC with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 300,000 metric tons. On the surface, it looks like its predecessors. Below the waterline, it is a different animal.

Euronav adopted the "Compass" moniker to reflect the tool’s core purpose: guidance. In an industry plagued by opacity—where charterers hide cargo destinations and owners obscure ship availability—the Compass aims to offer a true north. Euronav Compass

For charterers (oil majors, trading houses), the Compass provides certainty. They can see exactly where a VLCC they have booked is located, when it will discharge, and what the vessel’s historical performance metrics are. For investors, the Compass offers a real-time view of Euronav’s revenue generation; by watching spot fixtures reported in the Compass, analysts can estimate quarterly earnings before official press releases.

Sensors on the main engine, propeller shaft, hull, and weather instruments stream data to a cloud-based fleet operations center in Antwerp. Algorithms calculate:

In 2022, during a West Africa to Singapore run, the Euronav Compass reportedly altered course three times based on real-time marginal gain calculations, saving 12 metric tons of fuel—equivalent to 37.5 tons of CO2. For a ship that will operate for 20 years, these small savings compound into millions of dollars. The result

The Compass is fitted with a closed-loop scrubber, allowing it to burn cheaper high-sulfur fuel oil while meeting IMO 2020 sulfur caps. This saves approximately $5,000–$8,000 per day in fuel costs compared to burning VLSFO.

But the carbon problem remains. The Compass emits roughly 80–100 tons of CO2 per day at sea. Euronav’s parent, CMB.TECH, is now retrofitting sister vessels to run on ammonia (a zero-carbon fuel). Industry insiders suggest the Compass will likely be converted to dual-fuel ammonia capability by 2028, at a cost of $15–20 million.

How does the Euronav Compass stack up against platforms like Kpler, Vortexa, or MarineTraffic? In 2022, during a West Africa to Singapore

Verdict: The Euronav Compass is a "specialized scalpel," not a "global map." You use it to understand one of the world’s largest owners intimately. You use Kpler or Vortexa to see the entire market.

At present, a vessel like the Euronav Compass emits roughly 16–20 grams of CO2 per ton-mile. While highly efficient compared to trucks or trains, this still contributes to Scope 3 emissions for oil companies.