Fueling the Future: Avoiding Bunker Blunders with Smart Practices!

 🚢 Fueling the Future: Avoiding Bunker Blunders with Smart Practices!

❓Are You Storing Your Bunkers the Right Way?

❓Do You Know the Hidden Risks of Comingling Fuel Grades?
❓Can Your Vessel's ROB Data Withstand Scrutiny During Off-Hire Surveys?

 

🛢️ Understanding Bunker Fuel Handling & ROB Management in Charter Parties

Bunker fuel management isn't just a technical matter—it's a commercial minefield that can cost shipowners and charterers thousands in disputes, off-hire claims, or even machinery failures. Let’s break down common charter party clauses and operational best practices regarding bunkers, focusing on:

• Remaining On Board (ROB) reporting
• No Comingling Clauses
• Fuel Handling & Treatment Best Practices

These are critical for avoiding off-hire claims, machinery damage, and survey disputes.

 

🔍 Clause Breakdown & Industry Insight

1. ROB Accuracy Obligations
Most charter party agreements expect owners to provide accurate ROB figures at delivery and redelivery. Discrepancies between logbook records and actual tank soundings may lead to costly disputes or off-hire deductions.

👉 Example: A discrepancy of even 5 MT of VLSFO, if priced at $600/MT, could cost $3,000 in commercial claims—not to mention reputational damage.

 

2. No Comingling Clause for VLSFO
Newer CPs often strictly prohibit comingling of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). Bunkers must be received in empty, stripped tanks—only unpumpable remnants allowed.

👉 Pitfall: Mixing even small quantities of incompatible VLSFO batches can cause instability, stratification, sludge formation, and purifier overload—leading to engine issues.

 

3. Fuel Oil Onboard Treatment Responsibilities
Operators are expected to:

• Dose Octamar Ultra HF before bunkering (ratio 1L:6MT)
• Conduct onboard compatibility tests between batches
• Maintain purifier temperatures as per density tables
• Maintain and NEVER bypass auto backwash filters

These aren’t optional—they’re essential precautions based on fuel analysis reports and manufacturer guidelines (e.g., MKK standards).

 

🧭 Action Plan for Ship Operators, Managers & Charterers

✅ Ensure Routine Tank Soundings

• At every arrival/departure (when ops are idle)
• During fair weather & at anchorage
• Log and match with bunker origin and fuel history

✅ Never Comeingle Different Fuel Batches

• Plan bunkering in empty tanks
• Strip previous fuel and consume old stock first

✅ Chemical Dosing & Fuel Compatibility Checks

• Always use Octamar Ultra HF as per dosage guidelines
• Lower settling/service tank levels before adding new fuel
• Run compatibility tests and follow RA (Risk Assessment) protocols

✅ Protect Your Purifiers & Filters

• Maintain temperature/throughput per fuel density
• Clean and maintain auto backwash filters religiously
• Never bypass safety filters—your engine's health depends on them

 

📚 Case Law & Commentary

⚖️ BIMCO’s bunker clauses and industry circulars strongly emphasize bunker quality, compatibility, and proper declaration. Non-compliance can lead to arbitration, off-hire rulings, and heavy losses. In The Eternal Bliss case, even seemingly minor operational issues escalated into significant charter disputes due to non-standard practices.

 

✅ Conclusion: Take Charge of Your Bunker Game

Bunkering is no longer “routine”—it’s strategic. Mistakes cost money, reputation, and time.

🚨 Stay compliant.
⚙️ Stay proactive.
📊 Stay accurate.

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⚠️ Disclaimer:

This blog provides general operational insights and should not be interpreted as legal or technical advice. Please consult your company’s technical manuals, P&I Club circulars, or legal team for vessel-specific or case-specific guidance.