Bunker Quality & Quantity

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: The Buy Back

This malpractice could be instigated by the corrupt crew of a vessel or even the barge who may take its chances and ask the Captain, "have you got any spare fuel onboard?"

18 Jul 2017

Mass Flow Meter Malpractice? This is What We've Seen in Singapore and What You Can Do to Protect Yourself [Pictures]

Petro Inspect surveyors have seen barge setups where it would be possible to syphon bunkers back into the bunker barge after they have passed through the mass flow meter.

2 May 2017

The Stellar Daisy Loss: Understanding Cargo Liquefaction Risks

It's a known issue with most ore cargoes; the key issue is whether the solid bulk cargo that is to be loaded is liable to liquefaction.

5 Apr 2017

Why You Might Be Losing Millions on Sludge Disposal, and How You Can Prevent It

Petro Inspect discusses the importance of sludge discharge / disposal surveys - are the ship owners being paid fairly?

13 Jan 2016

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: What Happens When Your Bunker Surveyor is Asked to Bend the Rules?

Does that even happen? Unfortunately, the answer is "yes."

7 Jul 2015

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: A Guide to Dealing With Post Bunker Disputes

Disputes arising over bunker quantity "after" delivery calls for shipboard personnel, and a surveyor present who is experienced in dealing with disputes.

27 May 2015

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Singapore Cappuccino Bunker Incident Report [Pictures]

Had this malpractice not been detected the client would have had a monetary loss of at least $36,000.

17 Nov 2014

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Identifying Cappuccino Bunkers [Pictures]

Further images to help with the identification of Cappuccino Bunkers.

19 Aug 2014

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Cappuccino Bunkers, an Illustrated Guide to Loss Prevention

Cappuccino bunkers remain one of the most common and widely used 'mal-practices' in the bunkering industry to-date.

12 Aug 2014

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Precautions against Cappuccino Bunkers

Steps you should take to prevent receiving aerated bunkers that hide a short delivery.

30 Jan 2014

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Unpumpable Fuel, Zero Dip Volume Application

Be wary that empty tanks may not be empty even with zero dip.

19 Dec 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Inflated / Deflated Tank Volumes

Soundings can be inflated during opening gauging by pouring diesel oil into the sounding pipe just before gauging.

11 Dec 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Bunker Fuel Temperature

Accurate temperature recording is crucial when detecting bunker fuel concealment.

4 Dec 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Concealed Fuel in Bunker Tanks

Verify the number and location of all bunker tanks, ensuring they correspond with the tank capacity diagram.

21 Nov 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Tank Soundings to Detect Bunker Fuel Concealment

Always use own sounding tape and a ruler to report exact sounding or ullage.

8 Nov 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Falsifying Documentation

Checks should include calibration tables, BDN Records, fuel consumption records, and the oil record book.

1 Nov 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Bunker Fuel Concealment Through Trim and List

Take an average trim/list and always use the corrected trim for calculations.

24 Oct 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Magic Pipes, Concealed Bunkers, and 221B Surveys

To find concealed fuel someone qualified has to go on board the vessel and get their hands dirty...

17 Oct 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Dealing with Bunker Disputes

In case of the event of a short fuel delivery, remember that time is of the essence.

10 Oct 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Can You Beat the Coriolis Flow Meters?

Mass flow meters promise to prevent many of the current tricks employed by unscrupulous individuals.

4 Oct 2013