Bunker Quality & Quantity

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Tampering with Gauging Equipment

Always verify the condition of the sounding tape, which can be tampered with in many ways.

19 Sep 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Double Losses for Operators from Undeclared Fuel

Sometimes the receiving vessel will be as much as involved as the supplier in dubious bunkering practices.

12 Sep 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Questionable Tank Calibration Tables

Having more than one set of sounding books is not uncommon and having the tables modified to the supplier's advantage is always a possibility.

5 Sep 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Pumping / Mixing Slops into Bunkers

Introducing slops will reduce the actual fuel amount and also can create engine problems.

29 Aug 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Quantity Measurements by Flow Meter Only

Never agree and go by the flow meter only fuel delivery.

22 Aug 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Flow meter / Pipe work Tampering

Bunker barges fitted with a flow meter should be checked for proper functioning.

15 Aug 2013

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

Fuel transferred from a high level to a low level by gravity means the same fuel quantity could be measured twice.

8 Aug 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Fuel Delivered with High Water Content

Water can originate from number of sources, but deliberate injection cannot be ruled out.

1 Aug 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: The Cappuccino Effect

Aerated bunkers when sounded can hide a short delivery.

25 Jul 2013

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.

18 Jul 2013

Tricks of the Bunker Trade: Understanding the Fuel Density & Weight Relationship

Many bunker surveyors do not realise that the density given in the supplier's bunker delivery note (BDN) may not be true.

11 Jul 2013