Bunker Fuel

London P&I Club: Loss prevention guidance on bunkering

Carl Durrow, Loss Prevention Manager at London P&I Club, explores a notable case study to showcase some of the issues that need to be addressed before and during a bunker loading operation.

Published

1 year ago

November 10, 2023

Admin

Carl Durrow, Loss Prevention Manager & Master Mariner, London P&I Club on Wednesday (8 November) published a guidance on poor bunkering practices by exploring a notable case study to showcase some of the issues that need to be addressed before and during a bunker loading operation:

The financial impact of environmental disasters as a result of poor bunkering procedures are a major problem for ship owners and managers globally. Negligence or poor oversight during the loading of bunker fuel can often result in major fines from local authorities, as well as substantial clean-up costs to minimise the impact of lost bunker fuel on the environment.

The London Club delivers practical loss prevention advice to members, drawing from the experience of the Club, its Members and industry sources to ensure effective and sensible operating procedures are in place on all vessels.

In order to promote these safe practices, the London Club is using an example of poor bunkering practices as a case study to showcase some the issues that need to be addressed before and during a bunker loading operation, as well as detailing measures that can be taken to ensure no fuel is lost overboard during such a procedure.

In this case study, the vessel arrived at its destination port to load cargo and take on a stem of bunkers. The Chief Engineer elected to take some shore leave and delegated his duty to oversee the bunkering to a junior engineer officer.

The bunker barge pulls up alongside and the crew connects the delivery hose to the bunker manifold. The junior engineer collects the bunkering procedure checklist, but decides that because the bunkers are being loaded into an empty tank, there was no need to go through all the procedures in the checklist.

With the bunker barge ready to start, the deck watchman is called to open the valve to 2 Centre Bunker Tank. However, the tank valves are poorly stenciled. Instead of checking further, the crewman opens 1 Centre Bunker Tank, which is already more than 75% full. The junior engineer officer is then distracted by a phone call from home on his mobile and walks away, assuming it will be a long time until the bunkering process is complete.

Sadly, 2 Centre Bunker Tank then overflows from the tank vent, with bunker fuel covering the deck area and spilling overboard into the water. Only the bunker barge team notices this overflow and immediately stops pumping but at that point the damage is already done.

Financial impacts

More than 26,000 litres of bunkers were lost overboard and the financial implications for the owners were significant. This included:

$6.5 million in environmental clean-up costs
A $750,000 fine from local authorities for pollution

To add to this, the crew later falsified SMS documents, which could have resulted in further criminal charges.

Best practices

This case study showcases a number of oversights and negligent practices when it comes to safely and securely loading bunkers onto a vessel. The London Club has detailed a number of practical guidelines that would ensure accidents like this do not occur. This includes:

Ensure all crew responsible for bunkering operations have sufficient experience and knowledge
Follow prescribed SMS bunkering procedures
Have toolbox meetings to discuss all operations
Agree an emergency signal and procedure with the bunker barge
Clearly mark all valves with the spaces they serve
Do not allow distractions such as mobile phones on duty
Do not falsify documents

The London Club provides guidance to the technical services and emergency contact details for ITOPF, which covers promoting effective responses to marine spills. You can read more here: https://www.londonpandi.com/our-services/pollution-information/

Note: London P&I’s video on ‘Bunker Operations/Spill – Loss Prevention Case Study’ can be viewed here.

Photo credit: Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash
Published: 10 November, 2023

Related Topics:Legal - Crime Others - Environment

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FincoEnergies launches pooling service for FuelEU Maritime compliance

FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable bio bunker fuels.

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12 hours ago

April 21, 2025

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GoodFuels biofuel supplier FincoEnergies on Wednesday (16 April) announced the launch of its FuelEU Pooling service, created to enable shipowners to meet FuelEU Maritime compliance in a cost-effective way.

FuelEU Maritime, effective from 1 January 2025, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board ships trading in the EU. For many operators, particularly those with limited access to low-carbon fuels, compliance can be both complex and costly.

Designed for shipowners, operators, charterers, and technical managers, FincoEnergies’ FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable biofuels, when these vessels are overcompliant and have ‘Surplus’ emission reduction available for allocation.

FincoEnergies also partnered with Lloyd’s Register (LR), who supported the development of the service. Their technical expertise has enabled shaping a solution that aligns with both regulatory requirements and FincoEnergies' established position as a biofuel supplier in the fuel supply chain.

“FuelEU Maritime represents one of the most important regulatory shifts for the shipping industry in decades,” said Alberto Perez, Global Head, Maritime Commercial Markets at LR. “By integrating technical expertise with strategic guidance, we ensure shipowners, operators, and suppliers not only comply with evolving emissions standards, but also proactively transform their operations, embracing new technologies and alternative fuels to ensure a sustainable and profitable future.”

“With a decade of experience in biofuel bunkers and carbon certificate trading in the voluntary market, we are excited to expand our creative and solution-oriented product portfolio with FuelEU Pooling,” said Johannes Schurmann, Commercial Director International Marine at FincoEnergies.

“Thanks to our physical presence in the supply chain, shipping companies looking for FuelEU surplus can confidently rely on us as a trusted partner in their decarbonisation journey.”

Through its role as Pool Organiser, FincoEnergies streamlines the entire pooling process – from performing biofuel bunkers and prefinancing Surplus, to Surplus allocation and pool verification. With cost-effective pricing, FuelEU Pooling provides shipping companies with a competitive alternative for changing their fuel mix themselves.

Photo credit: FincoEnergies
Published: 21 April, 2025

ECA

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

In preparation of the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area regulation, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

Published

12 hours ago

April 21, 2025

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Aydın Yıldız, Head of Marine Sales at Petrol Ofisi Group

Petrol Ofisi’s bunkering arm PO/Marine on Thursday (17 April) said it has completed the bunkering operation of ULSFO—a marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content—in alignment with the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area (MED ECA) regulation.

Under the new regulation, all vessels operating within the Mediterranean must use low-sulphur marine fuels.

Effective 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean will officially be designated as an Emission Control Area (MED ECA), prohibiting the use of marine fuels with sulphur content exceeding 0.10%.

In preparation for this regulatory transition, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO (Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil) with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

Aydın Yıldız, Senior Maritime Manager at Petrol Ofisi Group, said: “Our leadership in the maritime fuel sector is defined not only by our market share but also by the innovative steps we take to shape the industry.

“Successfully completing the supply of marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content in alignment with the MED ECA transition in Türkiye is a concrete reflection of this. We previously led the way with the country’s first VLSFO bunkering operation, setting a precedent in our sector.

“With our ULSFO bunkering, we have once again demonstrated that we are setting the standard in Türkiye’s marine fuel landscape. The designation of the Mediterranean as an Emission Control Area is not only a regional development but a historic turning point for global maritime operations.”

Photo credit: PO/Marine
Published: 21 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Oilmar completes first ULSFO bunker fuel delivery in Türkiye

Company announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul and is now offering the marine fuel in several key locations including Istanbul Anchorage and Marmara Sea.

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April 21, 2025

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UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar DMCC on Friday (18 April) announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul, marking one of the very first trades of its kind in the country.

“With this milestone, Oilmar proudly steps forward as one of Türkiye’s pioneering trading companies in ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur fuel,” it said in a social media post.

Oilmar is now offering ULSFO 0.1% across key locations:

Istanbul Anchorage
Marmara Sea
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Southern Türkiye Ports

In addition, High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO), Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Ultra-Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO), and Low Sulphur Marine Gasoil (LSMGO) are available at all ports across Türkiye.

Photo credit: Dima Rogachevskiy on Unsplash
Published: 21 April, 2025