BUNKER QUANTITY SURVEY

DNV Petroleum Services

Revision 0 : Feb 06
Bunkers are typically the largest contributor to the operational costs of a ship,
with the physical transfer of fuel often taking place thousands of miles away
from the contracting ofces. As neither the buyer nor the seller is present to
witness the bunker quantity transfer and sampling procedures on board, any
post-delivery investigation on quantity shortages is usually futile and inconclu-
sive. Protests, demurrages, physical shortages, legal fees, management time, loss
of goodwill, inconvenience and stress add to overall costs.
DNV Petroleum Services (DNVPS)
Bunker Quantity Surveys (BQS)
Responding to these concerns, DNV Petroleum
Services, the world leader in bunker fuel testing,
offers an impartial and independent Bunker Quantity
Survey through its own in-house surveyors in major
bunkering ports worldwide.
DNVPS BQS surveyors provide comprehensive and
credible documentation of delivered quantity, and
representative sampling and compliant with MARPOL
Annex VI requirements. As a complementary service
to the DNV Fuel Quality Testing Programme, our
surveyors also facilitate prompt dispatch of fuel oil
samples to the nearest DNVPS laboratory.
Given that bunkers account for 30-50% of the vessels
operating costs, it is in the fuel buyers interest to
engage a DNVPS surveyor for quantity verication. In
a bunker dispute, the fuel buyer will be well placed to
substantiate his claims.
DNVPS is the rst company to implement a world-
wide Code of Practice with regular on-the-job quality
assurance audits to ensure a high level of integrity and
service performance. We actively promote best prac-
tices in the trade.
Procedures on the Vessel
To avoid delays to the bunker delivery, the DNVPS
BQS surveyor will board the vessel at least one hour
before the bunker tankers arrival to complete the
initial vessel tank gauging measurements.
Procedures on the Bunker Tanker
All the bunker tankers tanks, including non-nominat-
ed bunker tanks will be measured in the presence of
the ship and supplier representatives and the DNVPS
surveyor will instantly record the readings on the
gauging tickets. If a short delivery arises, these records
together with non-cargo tanks declaration can be used
in the subsequent investigation.
When all initial bunker tanker measurements are
done, the transfer may start. On completion of the
bunker transfer, the DNVPS surveyor is required to
close the measurement on the bunker tanker rst
to determine the quantities supplied. If there is a
quantity difference between the vessel and the bunker
tanker exceeding DNVPS BQS Code of Practice re-
quirement, the surveyor will carry out a dispute inves-
tigation after consulting the Chief Engineer and the
supplier representative.
Scope of Service
DNVPS surveyors remain onboard for the entire
duration of the bunkering ensuring continuous su-
pervision and support.
DNVPS requests all clients to have their Chief Engineer
or his representative present during the extensive in-
spection and gauging of all the bunker tanks on the
vessel and the bunker tanker.
Accurate assessment of the opening soundings on
both the vessel and the bunker tanker is critical to the
determination of the actual fuel quantity transferred.
In order to perform a thorough job, sufcient time
should be allocated. The measurements may take up
to an hour on both the vessel and bunker tanker.
Our surveyors are required to use their own measuring
tape and digital thermometers instead of third party
instruments which may introduce uncertainties.
Water nding paste is used routinely to detect free
water. All vessel and bunker tanker measurements are
recorded on the spot in the DNVPS Gauging Ticket,
a copy of which will be given to each of the parties
present. In the event of uncertainty or during routine
quality control checks, these independent records
can be recalled for verication. The DNVPS gauging
ticket and recording procedures provide an audit trail
which detects alteration of gures and other malprac-
tices.
Where permissible, digital photographs are taken as
evidence of the survey operation. The photographs
include those of the vessel, bunker tanker, sampling
equipment and location.
Sampling
According to Incoterms 2000 published by the Inter-
national Chamber of Commerce, the seller fulls his
obligation to delivery when the goods have passed
over the vessels rails.
In addition, MARPOL 73/78 ANNEX VI requires a
representative sample to be taken at the receiving
vessels bunker manifold.
As a bunker delivery is a commercial transaction which
also requires the determination of fuel properties,
DNVPS advocates custody transfer sampling at the re-
ceiving vessels manifold. Vessels are recommended to
install a line sampler to collect representative samples.
Line samplers can be purchased from DNVPS.
During the bunker transfer, the DNVPS Code of
Practice requires the surveyor to take a representative
sample at the point of custody transfer.
Reporting
Based on the suppliers bunker receipt density, calcu-
lations are carried out using ASTM Tables 54B and
56 to determine the preliminary weight of the fuel
transferred.
However, DNVPS BQS requires actual density, viscos-
ity and water for conclusion. In order to do this, the
sample is promptly dispatched to the nearest DNVPS
laboratory for testing.
The results for density, viscosity and water of the fuel
sample are factored into the nal recalculation of
the actual weight of the fuel delivered. The DNVPS
Bunker Survey Report is then transmitted by email or
fax to the client.
Volume at
15C (M
3
)
Density at
15C (kg/m
3
)
Mass* (M/tons)
Weight Factor
(kg/m
3
)
Weight
(M/tons)
Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) 1822.804 988.7 1802.206 987.6 1800.201
DNVPS Measurement
(Bunker Tanker)
1822.805 957.3 1744.971 956.2 1742.966
Difference 0.001 -31.4 -57.235 -31.4 -57.235
DNVPS Measurement (Vessel) 1832.753 957.3 1754.494 956.2 1752.478
BDN value Tested value Differential Calculation
**Commercial
losses
Density 988.7 957.3 57.235 M/tons 57.235 x USD 300 USD 17,170
Viscosity*** 180 380 USD 5 USD 5 x 1742.966 USD 8,715
Water Trace 3.4% 3.4% 0.034 x 1742.966 x USD 300 USD 17,778
Total $ Loss USD 43,663
* Mass in our Report refers to Weight in Vacuo but commercial fuel transactions are typically based on Weight in Air given here as Weight.
** Bunker cost @ USD 300 per metric ton.
*** Price differential between 180 and 380 cSt(mm
2
/s) fuel @ USD 5.
BQS Experience Database
The DNVPS BQS experience database has multiple
records of bunker tanker performance in a specic
port and if there are no dubious practices, the conclu-
sion is typically based on the bunker tanker out-run.
Such dubious practices may include non-disclosure
or incomplete stock movement records, questionable
calibration tables, gravitation of bunkers among tanks,
unpacked pipe-line from shore tanks and adjusted
delivery gures.
However, DNVPS also has an extensive database on
vessels that have been surveyed in multiple ports
around the world and exhibit good bunker experi-
ence factor. The importance of extensive vessel meas-
urements before and after delivery, in conjunction
with the vessels bunker experience factor, justies
DNVPS conclusion based on the vessels out-turn in
some short delivery situations.
DNVPS Benets at a glance
BQS Clients can avoid costly disputes from short
deliveries.
DNVPS provides an independent and credible
verication of bunker quantity delivered, using
qualied and experienced bunker surveyors
applying DNVPS Code of Practice.
DNVPS provides comprehensive and accurate doc-
umentation as evidence in potential legal claims.
As opposed to other survey companies, DNVPS
surveyors stay onboard during the entire duration
of the bunkering operation. This ensures continu-
ous supervision of the entire bunkering operation.
DNVPS surveyors will make certain that representa-
tive sampling is carried out and assist the ship crew
to comply with MARPOL Annex VI requirements.
While most other survey companies base their
weight calculations on the suppliers bunker receipt
density, DNVPS calculates the weight of the fuel oil
delivered based on actual density of representa-
tive samples tested in DNVPS laboratories. Further,
DNVPS tests representative samples to provide
information on fuel viscosity (grade) and water
content. This assists clients in avoiding commercial
losses related to inaccurate bunker delivery receipt
values as well as water content.
DNVPS uses in-house surveyors, permanently
employed by DNVPS, for surveys in major bunker
ports world wide.
DNVPS is the only bunker survey company to
conduct regular on-the-job quality audit by senior
Quality Auditors to maintain high service standards.
DNVPS provides onboard hydrogen sulphide (H
2
S)
monitoring.
DNVPS provides objective conclusion when there is
a short delivery, based on comprehensive documen-
tation and an extensive BQS experience database.
BQS reports are presented in user-friendly PDF
format with colour codes for quick identication of
problem, executive summary, and relevant pictures
of the bunker survey. The report also includes doc-
umentation of sampling procedures and MARPOL
Annex VI compliance.
DNVPS bunkers survey are available in major
bunker ports worldwide.
DNV is a global provider of services for managing risk. Established in 1864, DNV is
an independent foundation with the objective of safeguarding life, property and the
environment. DNV comprises 300 ofces in 100 countries, with 6,400 employees.
DNVPS Worldwide HQ
Regional Ofce & Laboratory
Singapore
27 Changi South Street 1
Singapore 486071
Tel: + 65 6779 2475
Fax: + 65 6779 5636
Tlx: RS 39659 / 28597 DNVPS
Email: [email protected]
DNVPS Regional Ofce
London, UK
Palace House
3, Cathedral Street
London SE1 9DE
United Kingdom
Tel: + 44 0207 357 6080
Fax: + 44 0207 716 6736
Email: [email protected]
DNVPS Regional Ofce
& Laboratory
Fujairah, UAE
Port of Fujairah
P.O. Box 1227
United Arab Emirates
Tel: + 971 9 2228152
Fax: + 971 9 2228153
Email: [email protected]
DNVPS Regional Ofce
& Laboratory
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Haastrechtstraat 7
3079 DC Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: + 31 10 292 2600
Fax: + 31 10 479 7141
Email: [email protected]
DNVPS Regional Ofce
& Laboratory
Oslo, Norway
Veritasveien 1
N-1322 Hovik, Norway
Tel: + 47 67 57 9900
Fax: + 47 67 57 9393
Tlx: 76 192 VERIT N
Email: [email protected]
DNVPS Regional Ofce
& Laboratory
Houston, Texas, USA
318 North 16th Street
La Porte, Texas 77571, USA
Tel: + 1 281 470 1030
Fax: + 1 281 470 1035
Email: [email protected]
DNVPS/BQSB/V1R0/0206