Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Inter-tank Transfers - Gravitating of Fuel

by Kaivan H. Chinoy, Petro Inspect / The Bunker Detectives
Thursday August 8, 2013

During opening gauge the fuel could be transferred from high level to a low level (or empty / slack tank) by gravity.

For example a barge may have four tanks 1P/1S, 2P/2S, 3P/3S and 4P/4S.

The opening gauge starts from say aft tanks 4P/4S.

While the gauging is underway, the tank level of 4P/4S could be easily dropped under gravity to a slack or empty tank forward say 1P/1S.

Thus essentially the same fuel quantity is measured twice.

This method is still in use and if not detected the barge can claim that full quantity was delivered to the vessel but the vessel will have a substantial shortfall.

Once the bunkering has commenced it is too late to do anything and it will be virtually impossible to trace the 'missing' fuel.

A thorough investigation will be needed to determine the exact stock control quantity and full disclosure from the supplier which can take many months/years of legal action and still the matter may not be resolved.

Key Notes:

  • The only effective way of dealing with this dubious practice is re-sounding the first tanks before bunkering commences
  • Remember whenever in doubt or have concerns always issue a letter of protest

About Petro Inspect and The Bunker Detectives

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