Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Inflated / Deflated Tank Volumes

by Kaivan H. Chinoy, Petro Inspect / The Bunker Detectives
Wednesday December 11, 2013

The level of oil on the tape / bob should be clearly identifiable and the same colour and viscosity as the rest of the oil in the tank.

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

Another method of inflating the sounding is high pressure compressed air being injected directly into the sounding pipe, pressurizing the pipe and thus causing the level of oil to rise giving a higher reading without even frothing or creating bubbles.

This would be done en-route to the vessel just before delivery.

The reverse is also true - that is the soundings can be deflated during closing gauging by pouring copious amount of paint thinner into the sounding pipe just before gauging.

The thinner washes off the oil level marking on the sounding tape to indicate less oil.

Key Notes:

  • Always check the level of on the sounding tape and if in doubt re-gauge the tank
  • 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.

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