Blending e bunkering

B IMCO & IBIA

BUNKERING
GUIDE

www.bimco.org

I ntroduction

2

Due to the relentlessly rising price of oil and ever-increasing marine environmental protection awareness, the bunkering of ships, which was once a relatively low skill, low value, activity has evolved into a highly focused shipboard operation in terms of regulatory compliance, and quality and quantity assurance.
The purpose of this guide is to assist a ship’s officers and crew involved in bunkering operations to act in compliance with applicable regulations and industry best practice; the guide will also be of value to shore staff.
This guide aims to provide general information, advice and guidance. Detailed guidelines, instructions and procedures are available in the ship’s Safety Management System (SMS) and the Shipboard
Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) or Shipboard Marine Pollution
Emergency Plan (SMPEP) as appropriate.
Many owners also have their own specific requirements for the conduct of bunkering operations which are more detailed than the minimum requirements in the operational procedures contained in the vessels SMS, SOPEP or SMPEP, especially with regard to commercial considerations.
Bunkering operations are governed in general terms internationally by the IMO’s MARPOL Annexes I & VI. SOLAS Chapter VI Regulation
5.1 also requires that a Material Safety Data Sheet be provided for oil products carried on board ships. In addition to the IMO regulations, many states, and even individual ports, have their own regulatory regimes covering bunkering operations. It is of paramount importance that prior to commencement of any bunkering operation, a check is made with the local agent and/or bulk supplier for information and guidance pertaining to the local regulations.
The MARPOL Annex VI sulphur limits and application dates are as follows: Fuel Types

3

There are two types of bunker fuel oil: sulphur variants

Residual fuels are a mix of refinery