What Is Bunkering?

What Is Bunkering?

The receiving of fuel or lubricating oils for use on the vessel from either shore loading facilities or from another vessel or barge. 

Safe, Pollution Free Bunkering is of Paramount Importance

Failure to follow required procedures may result in fines and criminal prosecution

Before Bunkering

The Chief Engineers Responsibilities

The Chief Engineer
Must ensure:

• Always adequate bunkers on board to safely complete the forthcoming voyage.
• Bunker tanks are sounded after arrival in port, before, during and after bunkering.
• Calculation of daily usage and engine specific consumption figures.
• Reporting of abnormal or irregular consumption.
• Reporting loss of oils.
• Remaining on board figures correspond to actual quantities.
• All possible precautions are taken to prevent oil spills.
• Bunker and distribution systems are leak free.
• All personnel under his control are aware of risks and hazards.
• Clear concise and accurate records are maintained of all activities and practices associated with bunkering.

Prepared!

Calculate
Order
Plan
Instruct
Check
Conduct
Verify
Record

The Chief Engineer must :
✔️Prepare in consultation with the master and chief officer a bunkering plan
✔️This plan must be discussed with all personnel involved in the bunkering process
✔️The procedure for bunkering should be carried out in accordance with bunking checklists

All Engineers

✔️Have the responsibility to ensure that oils on board are.
✔️Of the right kind.
✔️In the right place.
✔️The right quantity.
✔️Correctly maintained.

Have the responsibility to ensure that:
✔️All measures to protect the environment from pollution are carried out and the requirements for safe handling and storage are practiced.

✔️Pipelines filters,purifiers and fittings are maintained in leak free and good operating condition.

✔️All appropriate national and international rules and regulations are complied with.

The Oil Record Book
➡️Must be filled in on all ships when fuel, lubricating oils and oil sludge are received /off loaded or transferred within the vessel.

Completion Of Record Book
➡️The oil record book is completed as per the instructions contained at the front of the book and must be signed by the senior officer

Failure to Complete the Record Book Correctly or Falsification of Recordings Is Punishable by Heavy Fines And/or Imprisonment

Bunker Operations
General Safety
✔️Take personal protection precautions when sampling fuel.
✔️Regulations regarding entry to enclosed spaces must be observed.
✔️Smoking and naked lights are PROHIBITED.
✔️Metal sampling equipment must be spark proof and earthed.
✔️Lamps and torches must be of an approved type.

Planning

• Knowing what is going to be done.
• Letting people know what is going to be done.
• Planning ensures the risk of pollution is eliminated.

What Is Required?

• Know what is on board and where it is.
• Try to reduce to minimum number of tanks.
• Calculate how much is required.
• Write a plan describing where, how and how much of the oil is to be distributed.
• Discuss and explain the plan with ALL involved with the procedure.

Segregation.

• Ideally bunkers from different stems should not be mixed and bunkers remaining on board should be sufficient to allow analysis of the oil ashore.
• This is not always possible!
• Compatibility of different fuel stems MUST be checked when mixing cannot be avoided.

Compatibility.

• The property of two oils to be mixed without producing an adverse reaction either to itself, the storage tanks or the equipment and machinery.
• Quick check spot test. Any doubt DO NOT MIX.

Pollution Prevention

• Brief personnel.
• If discharging oils or oily mixture advance notice to shore.
• Check all valves which are not required are shut and blanks are in place.
• SOPEP gear in place.
• Scuppers plugged.
• Drip trays.
• Inspection of hoses and fittings.
• Check hose radiuses.
• Communication.

General Considerations

• Cost of bunkers.
• Minimum stock levels allowing for weather, delays etc.
• Do not hide fuel / lub oils.

Ordering Criteria

• Vessels expected speed and daily consumption.
• Sailing area, tides seasonal currents etc.
• Availability of bunkers.
• Safety margin.
• Unpumpables.
• Costs.

Ordering Parameters

• Viscosity – need to know for heating to correct temperature.
• Density – major factor in fuel treatment efficiency. High density usually indicates solid inclusion. Limit for water seal purifier 0.991 kg/l @ 15°C.
• Water – present in almost all residual fuels. ISO limit 1% by volume.
• Carbon residue -.

Safety Margins

• Sea passage –.
• Fuel oil min 72 hours consumption.
• Lub oil min one oil change for main engine and one auxiliary engine plus 72 hours normal consumption.
• Coastal –.
• As per sea passage but 48 hours.
• Anytime.
• Hydraulic oil – one refill of the vessels largest power pack.

Start of Bunkering
Check for leaks.
Recheck hose when up to bunkering pressure.
Check correct tank filling.

During Bunkering
Continually supervised.
Sampling.
Testing.
Pumping rates.
Communication.

After Bunkering
Sound tanks.
Results of tests ready.
Seal samples for testing.
Clean up.
Recording.
Inform of discrepancies.

Sample Purity
Containers new and absolutely clean.
Collection and handling with clean hands or gloves.
Clean lint free cloths to be used.
Metal containers should not be used plastic is preferred.
Take precautions against contamination.

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Sumber : Hanseatic Marine Training