Cargo ships bunkering procedure
Fuel oil used as a fuel in connection with the propulsion and auxiliary machinery of the ship. Following guideline should be taken into consideration prior acceptance or rejection of fuel oil by a cargo ship :
Difference in viscosity :
(a) If the deviation falls within the range allowed by the vessel side, the FO may be accepted in principle.
Note : The allowable range for viscosity shall be, talking the machinery specifications, heating specifications, and specifications of auxiliary machinery that burns C-oil only talking into consideration; an upper limit of 200 cst or so to 180 cst in the machinery specifications, an upper limit of 300 cst or so to 280 cst in the machinery specifications, an upper limit of 450 cst or so to 380 cst in the machinery specifications.
(b) If the deviation is out of the range allowed by the vessel, the Chief Engineer shall refuse the receiving in principle, and shall make the supplier rearrange the type of Fuel to meet the order, if time permits. In this case, the time required for the re-arrangement and the following FO loading shall be confirmed after consultation with the local agent.
(c) In either case of the above sub-items (a) and (b), if the difference in viscosity is significant between those in the order and on the spot of loading, the Chief Engineer shall inform the own company Fuel Section of the matter through the Master without delay and discuss whether the FO in question is to be received or not.
Difference in Sulphur content
(a) When Sulphur content in Bunker Delivery Note exceeds 4.5% and 1.5% in Standards fuel oil and Low Sulphur fuel oil respectively, the Chief engineer shall refuse to load the fuel oil and request rearrangement of the loading of appropriate fuel oil.
(b) In the above case, the Chief Engineer shall inform the Fuel Section of the matter through the Master without delay and discuss whether the FO in question is to be received or not.
Excessive density
(a) The upper limit of density shall be 0.9910kg/m 3 at 150C(0.9916kg/m 3 at 60F), (according to ISO Standard). Therefore, if it is discovered by the confirmation made on the document before the loading that the density exceeds the upper limit, the Chief Engineer shall postpone the receiving and report the fact immediately to the Fuel Section, the Operation Section, and the Chief Technical Superintendent, and consult with them about measures to be taken after the fact.
For rules and standard on qualities of marine fuel oil, refer to the attached Specifications of Marine Fuels, ISO 8217, 1987(E) .
Excess or shortage in volume
(a) If it is discovered by the confirmation made on the document before the loading that the loaded volume exceeds the ordered volume, the Chief Engineer shall refuse to receive the excess.
In this case, the Chief Engineer shall have the supplier accept that the judgement of the timing and the order to stop the pump shall be made by the vessel side at the completion of the loading of the planned volume, which procedures shall be confirmed by an agreement in writing between the parties.
(b) If it is discovered by the confirmation made on the document before the loading that the loaded volume is less than the ordered volume, the Chief Engineer shall take the following measures :
(i) The Chief Engineer shall make the supplier rearrange the deficiency immediately if time permits. In this case, the time required for the re-arrangement and the following FO loading shall be confirmed after consultation with the local agent.
(ii) When time does not permit for the rearrangement of the deficiency, and if the total volume of remained FO on board the vessel and the newly loaded FO is judged to allow the safe navigation of the vessel to the next port where refueling is available, such bunkering may be accepted in principle.
In this case, the ordered volume shall be entered in remarks column on the bunker receipt, and in this case, the Chief Engineer shall discuss with the Operation Section where the deficiency is supplied or whether the supply is required or not, without delay.
(iii) When time does not permit for the rearrangement of the deficiency, and if the total volume of remained FO on board the vessel and the newly loaded FO is judged not to allow the safe navigation of the vessel to the next port where refueling is available, the Chief Engineer shall report immediately through the Master the situation to the Operation Section of company and the Fuel Section (copy to the Technical Superintendent) to discuss the measures to be taken.
In this case, the Chief Engineer shall include in the report information about the expected delay hours of the vessel, after discussions with the local agent and the supplier on the rearrangement (if it has been made) and the time required for the following refueling.
(c) In either case of the above mentioned sub-items (a) and (b), the chief Engineer shall report the face to the Company through the Master as soon as possible.
Determining H2S
Needless to say the vessel must always have sufficient measuring instrumentation onboard. It was found H2S is most accurately measured using Draeger tubes (Type 2a). Draeger tubes are less prone to inaccurate readings due to cross sensitivities with other substances than electronic meters. You should remember that a vessel with 10 tanks would soon use a large number of tubes if testing two, three or more times.
You should also be aware that many Charterers now incorporate a standard H2S Clause in their fixtures. The penalties for breach of Terminal regulations and/or C/P Terms is severe, both financially and commercially.
For your guidance the Shell H2S Clause reads as follows :
Quote
Owners shall comply with the requirements in ISGOTT (as amended from time to time) concerning Hydrogen Sulphide and ensuring that the Hydrogen Sulphide level is always below the threshold limit value (TLV).
If on arrival at the loading terminal, the loading authorities, inspectors or other authorised and qualified personnel declare that the Hydrogen Sulphide levels exceed the TLV and request the vessel to reduce the said level to within the TLV then the Original Notice of Readiness (NOR) shall not be valid. A valid NOR can only be tendered and laytime, or demurrage time, if on demurrage, start to run in accordance with Clause 13 (as amended) of SHELLVOY 5 when the TLV is acceptable to the relevant authorities.
All time, costs and expense as a result of Owners’ failure to comply with the foregoing shall be for Owners’ account. If the vessel is unable to reduce the levels of Hydrogen Sulphide within a reasonable time Charterers shall have the option of cancelling this Charter without penalty and without prejudice to any claims which Charterers may have against Owners under this Charter.
Related articles :
