Bunkering
“Due to the fact that bunkering and bunker procedures have a deep impact on the running
cost and bad fuel quality can cause a huge amount of cost for repair and maintenance the
company decided to specify bunker procedures more detailed than other procedures.”
The Master and Chief Engineer must ensure that the vessel is provided with sufficient bunkers
which meet the required specifications. He will keep the relevant departments ashore informed well in time about the ship’s bunker demand and is responsible for liaising with the
party which is in charge for providing bunkers.
Further it is within the responsibility of the Master & Chief Engineer that respective log books
(Engine Log Book, Oil Record Book, Bunker Sample- and SECA Fuel Changeover Record Book)
are properly kept as well as frequently countersigned/inspected.
The Chief Engineer shall ensure that sufficient fuels are on board for the intended voyage and
shall take necessary steps to assure him of the quality and quantity of bunkers before accepting them for use.
The company’s Bunker Checklist & Bunker Plan (F-23) form must be filled up. Neither any
additional form from the charterer nor additional local requirements are in place. If so, the
CE must fill both (++) checklists.
The Bunker Checklist form & Bunker plan in its relevant parts must be used as well for any
sludge disposal Operation or any other operation related to MARPOL which is not mentioned but applicable.
Furthermore, the Chief Engineer is responsible for:
checklists (incl. Bunker plan) and logbooks.
Safety data sheets are to be provided visible at the bunker station
Bunker reserve
The Chief Engineer shall ensure that sufficient fuel is on board for the intended voyage complying with MARPOL Annex VI and engine specifications. This company requirement is applicable for Main Engine and Auxiliary Engines and Boiler. In determining the quantity of bunkers
to be ordered by the Chief Engineer and the Master shall liaise to ensure that all necessary
factors are taken into account including consumption rate, schedule, bad weather conditions
and next likely opportunity for bunkering.
As a guideline the bunker reserve for the Main Engine and Auxiliary Engine should not be
less than three (3) full operating days for open water passages. The bunker reserve for
coastal trade shall be not less than two (2) full operating days.
Bunker Samples and Bunker Analysis
The Chief Engineer shall endeavor to obtain a written specification in form of an official Bunker
Delivery Note (BND) as per MARPOL Annex VI of the bunkers before bunkering commences.
In general, only fuels are to be accepted which are, according to the delivery receipt, in compliance with the minimum standards as defined by the Company and the Charter Party.
If a “bunker sample checklist” from the charterer or other parties other than the companies
SMS exists – it must be treated like a company form and must be filled up in addition to the
Bunker checklist.
Continuous drip samples shall be taken throughout the bunkering at the receiving ship’s inlet
bunker manifold in the presence of witnessing crew member in a “cubitainer” and then to be
filled into four (4) absolutely clean sample bottles. The procedure shall be as detailed in respective bunker procedure and publications, carried on board of all Company vessels.
The Chief Engineer is responsible that all bunker samples are properly fitted with a tamper
proof security seal together with a unique means of identification by the supplier’s representative immediately following to the collection.
Furthermore, he must ensure that sample labels of each bottle are complete and readable
filled and signed by both the Chief Engineer and the supplier's representative stating at least
following information:
On completion of bunkering one bottle shall be handed to the bunker supplier; one bottle and
the MARPOL sample shall be retained on board and one sample shall be couriered from the
bunker port to the laboratory for analysis. If the sample cannot be sent from bunker port the
company has to be informed.
As required by MARPOL Annex VI bunker samples are to be retained on board for at least 12
months. The bunker receipts are to be retained on board for a minimum of 36 months.
The Chief Engineer shall ensure that all necessary information and details are duly recorded
in the “Bunker Sample- and SECA Fuel Changeover Record Book” (SRB) to prove continuous
track of the retained samples. Analysis results will be faxed or send by e-mail to the ship as
soon as available
In addition to the sample which was taken on vessels manifold also in many cases the supplier
will take a sample on the barge manifold. This sample must be taken also by drip sampling.
The drip sampler shall be in the end of the bunker line direct before the bunker hose. The
sampling shall be witnessed by a crew member. The same sample procedure like for the
vessels manifold samples must be applied by the bunker barge. In case the sampling is not
done correct, please issue a letter of protest.
Read carefully before you are signing any documents.
Bunker delivery notes
The bunker delivery note shall be kept on board the ship in such a place as to be readily available for inspection at all reasonable times. It shall be retained for a period of three (3) years
after the fuel oil has been delivered on board.
Bunker Line Pressure Test (BLPT)
Bunker lines are required to be tested to 1.5 times of its allowable operating pressure by placing them under a constant hydrostatic pressure for a prescribed period (usually 5-10 minutes
is sufficient) annually. This is best achieved by using the FO transfer pump(s) to fill bunker lines
up to the manifolds (with fuel oil), purge the lines via Manifold valves and then build pressure
in the lines until 1.5 times of the allowable operating pressure is reached (operating parameters should be available in the approved bunker plan(class) or the vessel may be guided by
pipeline material pressure ratings).
In addition to log entries in deck Logbook and Oil Record Book (ORB), the deck bunker lines are
also required to be stenciled or painted with the date of last pressure test together with the
pressure maintained (in kg/cm2, psi or bar).
The BLP is mandatory for vessels trading in US waters acc. to the US Code of Federal Regulations (33 CFR 155 and 156), extraordinarily requested by the Technical Management and
providing it is technically possible.