Features
Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Understanding the Fuel Temperature & Volume Relationship
The barge will often try to under-declare the temperature during the opening gauge and over- declare during the closing.
This malpractice is quite common in day-to-day bunkering and therefore we always ask the ship officers responsible for bunkering operations to be extra vigilant and check the temperatures of all bunker tanks during the opening gauge and thereafter periodically check and record the temperature of the fuel as it is pumped onboard.
The temperatures should be checked both at the barge and the ship's manifold.
If temperature gauges are provided it would be prudent to take photographs where permissible.
This malpractice could be illustrated by the following example:
Within a large fleet the loss could run into millions of dollars a year!
Key Notes:
- Always check and record the temperatures of the fuel tanks before and after and periodically during the bunkering operation
- Carry own infra-red laser temperature gun as a part of your equipment
- Remember whenever in doubt or have concerns always issue a letter of protest
About Petro Inspect and The Bunker Detectives
Petro Inspect, previous known only as The Bunker Detectives, are a dedicated team who primarily help ship charterers' & bunker brokers deal with bunker quantity disputes (which do not fall under P&I cover for charterers'), and also offer an exclusive service to ship charterers' dealing with 'Bad' Bunker dispute claims, such as the supply of contaminated or off- specification bunkers.
The core services provided under the banner of 'Bunker Detective' are 221B Surveys (aka Bunker Detective Surveys), Bunker Stem Surveys (aka Bunker Quantity Surveys - BQS) and Charter On/Off Hire and Condition Surveys, as well as a bunker fuel concealment detection services.
About Kaivan H. Chinoy
A qualified Mercantile Marine Officer with an MSc Degree in "Technical Management of Ship Operations," prior to founding AVA Marine Kaivan spent over 15 years involved in extensive marine operations including vessel navigation, cargo handling, accident investigations, project cargo risk management, and marine cargo surveying.
To contact the editor responsible for this story email us at editor@shipandbunker.com
Popular Now
-
Apr 19The firm has chartered the 7,994 DWT barge Margherita to add to the operation, operated by Fratelli Cosulich. -
Apr 18Singapore's authorities are in the process of developing a regulatory framework for a methanol bunkering licence, and plan to call for applications for the licence by the end of this year. -
Apr 19The company is looking for candidates with proven experience in bunker trading and demonstrated leadership experience. -
Apr 16The firm will acquire majority ownership of the Spanish firm for an undisclosed sum, subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals. -
Apr 15The Athens branch manager of global marine fuel supplier and trading firm Monjasa has stepped down from his role at the company. -
Apr 13A seizure of a ship by Iran would point to a significant widening of the threat to global shipping from current geopolitical tensions. -
Apr 19The new CEO has worked for the firm since May 2013. -
Apr 17The Methanol Institute and SEA-LNG are seeking to arrange an urgent meeting with the European Commission to discuss their concerns. -
Apr 17The longstanding Italian oil firm has hired Tommaso Panzeri to head its bunkering operation, he tells Ship & Bunker. -
Apr 19Denmark's Environment Ministry announced earlier this moth that the discharge of washwater from open-loop scrubbers will be banned in the country's waters from July 2025.