BUNKER1
BUNKER1
BUNKER1
Bunker (Ship’s bunker) is nothing but the Fuel oil, Lube oil and Fresh water for
Engine’s and Ship’s use. Bunkering word is used for receiving or transferring fuel oil
(HFO & DO), Lube oil and Fresh water into respective tanks for ship’s own
consumption. You can call it as oil transfer operation for ship’s consumption. And
Tanks used for bunkering is called Bunker tanks.
Note: Oil transferring in cargo tanks in tanker ship is not called bunkering. It’s cargo oil
which has to be unloaded. Bunkering (Bunker oil) is directly related with the operation
of main engine, auxiliary engine, boiler, incinerator etc.
There are 2 options for bunkering: from floating barge (Bunker barge) at anchorage or
at port and from shore at port.
Bunker barge is just like floating petrol pump for refueling ships.
Overall In-charge: Chief Engineer, Duty Engineer (responsible for bunkering): 4th
Engineer/3rd Engineer, Assistant: 5th Engineer/Fitter
Chief Engineer is all in all for Bunkering operation. He has responsibilities of Fire
prevention, Pollution prevention, Bunker calculation, Records & Information and Safe
bunkering operation.
When bunkering oil spills, it comes under MARPOL Annex I. (It’s a case of oil pollution)
When bunkering oil does not meet the certain specifications, it comes under MARPOL
Annex VI. (It’s a case of air pollution)
Procurement
Amount of bunker depends on the future voyages and stoppages. Chief Engineer
calculates the bunker ROB (remaining on-board) on arrival at new port according to
daily consumption. For next voyages, required amount of bunker is estimated by daily
consumption record and ROB on arrival and it is compared with the bunker tank
capacity. Now a requisition is placed by the Chief Engineer and Master of the ship to
the procurement department or managers of the company. This requisition is
processed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of bunker (fuel oil) to be supplied
for the ship. And arrangement for bunkering is scheduled at particular port or near port
(at anchorage).
Remember: Requisition for Bunker (Amount of Bunker ordered) = (Total required
amount) – (ROB). And total required bunker is nothing but (bunker for voyage + bunker
for manoeuvring + bunker for river passage + bunker for port + reserve bunker for at
least 3 days). Reserve bunker is also called as Bunker Allowance.
Singapore
Fujairah
Rotterdam
Houston
Hong Kong
Antwerp
Gibraltar
Panama
Once requisition is made then it’s time for planning for bunkering and this is famously
known as Bunker Plan.
Bunker Plan
Before bunkering a plan is made and discussed with persons involved in bunkering.
This plan is made by Chief Engineer. It includes the process of bunkering, filling
sequence of tanks, number of tanks for bunkering, tanks for different oils (HFO, DO &
LO), transfer rate (minimum and maximum rate of transferring), topping up procedures,
fuel oil overflow tank condition (generally kept empty during bunkering operation) etc.
Sometimes bunker plan is approved by shipping company before bunkering.
Now, we can divide the whole bunkering process into 3 stages: Before Bunkering,
During Bunkering & After Bunkering. There are checklist for each stages of bunkering
for safe operation and named as Before bunkering checklist (Pre-bunkering checklist),
During bunkering checklist and After bunkering checklist (Post bunkering checklist)
respectively. Bunker checklists are part of ISM Code and company’s safety
management system (SMS).
During Bunkering
It’s second stage of bunkering operation. It includes actual bunkering i.e. re-fueling of
ship or filling of bunker tanks.
Keep minimum pumping rate initially to ensure the transfer of oil in correct tanks
without any obstruction.
Once proper transferring is confirmed, increase pumping rate slowly slowly up to
maximum.
Transferring of oil in bunker tanks should be in a sequence as per bunker plan. Fill the
tanks one by one to avoid the chances of overflow and error in monitoring.
Don’t fill the tanks 100%. It is advised to fill up to 90%.
Take sounding of bunker tanks at regular intervals and observe the increase in level.
Also check the sounding of Overflow tank and Relief valve regularly.
Monitor the temperature of bunker tanks and oil by using laser temperature gun.
Take samples by continuous drip sampling method (It’s a preferred method for
sampling).
After Bunkering
Sampling Of Bunker
There are 3 common types of sample for bunkering operation: Representative sample,
Primary sample & Retained sample.
Representative sample is a sample having its physical and chemical characteristics
are identical to the average characteristic of the total volume being sampled.
Primary sample is a representative sample of bunker delivered to ship, collected
throughout the bunkering period and obtained by the sampling equipment (fitted at
bunker manifold).
Retained sample is a representative sample in accordance with regulations of Annex
VI (MARPOL 73/78) of the fuel delivered to the ship.
Sampling Equipment
Bunker drip sampler (fitted between bunker manifold flange and Supplier hose),
Cubitainer (for sample collection), Seal & Mailing box (carton box for sample bottles).
There are 3 methods for taking these samples (Bunker samples) at ship and known as
samplers.
Bunker sample log book can be checked by PSC (Port State Control) authorities. All
samples should be retained for a minimum of 12 months from delivery date and BDN
should be retained for a minimum of 3 years.
Sealing Of Sample
Sealing of Sample: A tamper proof security seal with unique means of identification
should be installed by the supplier’s representative in the presence of the ship’s
representative officer. Information about location of bunkering, method of sampling,
date of delivery, Name & IMO number of ship, bunker grade, details of seal
identification, signatures are on sealing sample.
Sampling Position
Sample Storage
Sample Storage: Sample bottles should be stored in a sheltered location, where it will
not be elevated temperature and not exposed to direct sunlight. It should be outside of
accommodation areas. Generally, it is kept in a locker which is called as Sample
Locker.
Now, it’s time to calculate the amount of bunker received and to cross check whether
the received amount of bunker matches the requisition or not. For calculation of
quantity of bunker, sounding of tanks (bunker tanks) must be taken.
It’s called Bunker delivery note (BDN) or Bunker delivery receipt (BDR).
It is issued or provided by bunker supplier.
It’s a standard document required by Annex VI of MARPOL and includes the
information of delivered bunker oil.
It is kept for at least 3 years from bunkering date.
It includes following information about bunkering: Name of Ship, IMO Number, Port,
Date of Bunkering, Address of Supplier, Product (Oil) Specifications, Quantity of Oil in
metric tonnes (MT), Sulphur %, Density, Signature etc.
Quantity and quality of fuels (bunkers) are not always satisfactory. Bunker received
may not be as per bunker delivery note (BDN) and this is a reason of disputes between
bunker supplier and ship. For this disputes, a letter is issued against the supplier and
this letter is known as Letter of Protest.
No doubt, poor quality fuel oil is threat for safety, operational performance and
environmental aspects. Bunker analysis report is nothing but the test report of bunker
(fuel oil) sample. Quality of fuel oil must be according to engine maker’s
recommendations and regulations. This report is useful for long life of engines and
pollution due to poor combustion. This report is all about compliance of fuel with ISO
8217 and MARPOL regulation.
Following contents are present in Bunker Analysis Report:
FOBAS (Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis And Advisory Service): It’s A Famous Third Party Or Independent Bunker
Oil Quality Testing Service Provider. It Is A Service Of Lloyd’s Register.
FOBAS (Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service): It’s a famous third party or
independent bunker oil quality testing service provider. It is a service of Lloyd’s
Register.
Safety
Safety keeps utmost importance always. Bunkering operation is a tedious job and
includes various activities. This operation contains the risk of fire, oil pollution, air
pollution, loss of money, loss of life & loss of machinery also. That’s why it’s imperative
to consider safety for the operation.
SOPEP Locker
Emergency Shut-down arrangements
Bunker Line overflow arrangements with Overflow Tank, Audible & Visual alarms.
Relief valve in bunker line
Trays for oil containment
Strict watch-keeping during bunkering
SOPEP (Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan) is a plan for emergency during oil
spillage according to MARPOL Annex I. Main objective of this plan is to prevent or
minimize the oil pollution. Bunkering operation is a major hazard for oil pollution and
thus we need SOPEP plan ready for bunkering. There is a locker for SOPEP items for
fighting against oil pollution.
Fire Prevention
Safety Precautions
During bunkering operations, when changing over tanks first open valve of the tank to
be filled and then close the valve of the full tank. Keep away from tank vent.
Supplier’s hose should be connected for proper bunker line flanges i.e. HFO hose
should be connected with HFO bunker flange only.
Avoid smoking on deck during bunkering operation.
Bunker oil is toxic and may cause skin problems. That’s why use proper PPE
(Personal Protective Equipment).
Bad Bunker
Bad bunker means quality of bunker oil (fuel oil) is bad due to mixing of two bunkers
having different specifications or sludge contamination or poor quality fuel. Combustion
of fuel is most important factor of power generation and problems in engines and
machineries. And quality of fuel (quality of bunker) plays unavoidable role in
combustion process.
Always prefer standard bunker supplier for supplying good quality of fuel.
Bunker specifications must be according to engine maker’s recommendations.
Avoid mixing of new bunker with older, if possible.
Sampling should be done properly for correct lab analysis report.
If possible, use new bunker after getting the lab analysis report.
For using bad bunker, we have to focus on purification as much as possible. Add
sludge dispersion chemicals in bunker tanks to minimize the sludge in fuel oil line.
Heating is very important for separation of water and other unwanted impurities. Heat
upto maximum recommended limit.
Purification should be done in 2 stages in series operation: Purifier & Clarifier.
Fuel oil filter should be cleaned properly and frequently.
Good watchkeeping should be performed
Bunker Fraud
Bunkering is a costly operation as fuel price is high in market and cheating in delivery
of fuel (bunker) is common (more in Asian countries) . A small difference in
temperature, sounding and density can create a huge difference in quantity of bunker
and thus in cost. There are some common malpractices which are done by bunker
suppliers: