LPB 002

Bunkering Procedures
edition of the “International
Safety Guide for Oil Tankers &
Terminals” (ISGOTT).

A senior engineer should always

be appointed to co-ordinate and
take charge of the bunkering
operation, and it is intended that
the loading plan and checklist be
used by this officer. He should
first ensure that all crew
members involved in the exercise
are fully conversant with the
specification and quantity of fuel
to be lifted, the ship's fuelling and
tank sounding arrangements, the
alarm systems and the loading
sequence. It is of primary
importance that all personnel on
Members will be aware that the stages of the operation. These board are made aware of the
financial consequences of a are summarised in the form of a intention to bunker so that the
pollution incident during loading plan and checklist, either vessel’s emergency response
bunkering are becoming for direct use by the ship or to plan can be activated without
increasingly unpredictable. Any assist Members in reviewing or delay in the event of a spill. In
spill, no matter how small, may formulating their own versions. addition, it should not be
result in penalties and costs far Utilising a loading plan and forgotten that the bunkering
outweighing the apparent gravity checklist and following a facility itself may be the source of
of the event, reinforcing the need predetermined routine may a spill, and the contingency
for every shipowner to eliminate minimise the likelihood of arrangements of the barge or
the risks. important safeguards being terminal should be checked and
overlooked. discussed beforehand.
Procedures to be followed during
bunkering operations will be Members requiring a more Clear and detailed drawings of
detailed in a vessel's Safety comprehensive account of the vessel's bunkering system
Management System. However, prudent procedures relating to should be available for use by
this Bulletin has been written in bunkering and oil cargo members of the ship's bunkering
order to reiterate best practice operations are referred to the team during the operations and it
and includes a number of IMO publication "Manual on Oil is recommended that a piping
recommendations regarding the Pollution Section 1 - Prevention" diagram is posted in a suitable
items that should be checked and (which is due to be revised and
verified throughout the various reissued by IMO) and the latest
Loss Prevention Bulletin 2

location for easy reference by the To reduce the chance of vessel is restricted to a minimum
bunkering team. As well as aiding misunderstandings still further, and that the ship, as far as
the routine checking of pipeline the key elements of the bunker practicable, is kept upright and
configurations, access to such plan may be summarised in on an even keel.
diagrams may prove indispensible writing and signed by both the
in an emergency. responsible bunkering officer and It is clear from the Club's claims
the supplier as confirmation of experience that the over filling of
When agreeing signalling mutual agreement. bunker tanks may result in
procedures with the terminal or claims, penalties and clean-up
barge, Members are advised to During the course of bunkering, costs of extraordinary
consider using an audible alarm to representative samples should proportions. Moreover, the
supplement an emergency stop, be taken and retained in line with financial consequences of bunker
recognisable by all parties. This company and regulatory spills are continuing to escalate.
additional defence may secure a requirements. The duty officer
swifter response than relying should keep in close contact with If these basic principles of
entirely on VHF contact or other the bunker team throughout. bunkering are followed, exposure
methods of signalling. Moorings should be tended to to associated losses will almost
ensure that the movement of the certainly be reduced.
Loss Prevention Bulletin 3

Bunkering Loading Plan and Checklist

Vessel Port

Date Supplier

Tank Loading Plan

Sounding/ Planned Planned Actual Actual

Quantity in
ullage Quantity to sounding/ quantity in sounding/ quantity in
Tank tank prior to
prior to be loaded ullage on tank on ullage on tank on
bunkering
bunkering completion completion completion completion

Checklist

To be checked and signed off by the vessel, supplier, or both as appropriate.

No. Checkpoint Vessel Supplier

Prior to Bunkering:

Ensure all personnel are aware of the intention to bunker and of the
1
emergency response procedures
Ensure all personnel involved in the bunkering operation are wearing
2
appropriate PPE
Discuss bunkering plan and tank sequence with officers involved and
3
ensure the tank loading plan is completed
Establish and check the common communication link between
4 bunkering station, duty officer and engine room, using intrinsically safe
radios
5 Close and secure all associated overboard discharge valves

Close all unused manifold valves and blank off manifold connections
6
using all securing bolts, properly tightened, with a gasket in place

7 Plug all deck scuppers and make oil/watertight

8 Provide means of draining off any accumulations of water on deck

9 Empty out and plug save-alls for manifolds and bunker tank vents

10 Check all bunker tank air pipes are open and unblocked

11 Reconfirm space remaining in all bunker tanks to be filled

Loss Prevention Bulletin 4

12 Ensure all sounding pipe caps are tight, except when sounding tank

13 Check that all bunker tank hatch links are closed and secured

14 Check all bunker tank high level alarms are functioning

15 Ensure designated overflow tank is prepared

Place SOPEP equipment (sawdust, sand, absorbent pads, empty

16
drums, squeegees, brushes etc.) in key locations ready for use
Ensure suitable no smoking / no naked flame warning notices are
17
posted

18 Place fire fighting appliances ready for use

Ensure all external accommodation superstructure doors and

19
ports/windows are kept closed
Ensure the radars are on standby and the main radio aerials have been
20
earthed
Check that VHF/AIS units are either switched off or operating on low
21
power
Check that all flag or light signals required by local regulations are
22
displayed

23 Rig fire wires fore and aft (if applicable)

When bunkering from a barge ensure there is sufficient fendering

24
between vessels so there is no metal to metal contact
Ensure there is a safe means of access, adequately illuminated, in place
25
between the vessels

26 Ensure that the barge is securely moored alongside

Check the weight of the hose does not exceed the SWL of vessel’s
27
lifting gear
Check hose is of such a length that there is sufficient play to allow for
28
movement, and that it is adequately supported

29 Inspect hose and couplings for damage

30 Place drip trays under hose couplings and flanges

31 Check that delivery note quantities and bunker specifications are correct

Ensure that Material Safety Data Sheets have been provided for each
32
grade of fuel being stemmed

33 Discuss bunkering plan with supplier

34 Agree with supplier the quantity of oil to be pumped aboard

35 Agree unit of measurement (metric tons, cubic metres, barrels etc.)

36 Agree maximum pumping rate and pressure

37 Discuss vessel’s emergency response procedures with supplier

38 Discuss supplier’s own emergency response procedures

Loss Prevention Bulletin 5

Establish and check the communication link between vessel and

39
supplier

40 Agree signaling system with supplier - Commence Pumping

- Reduce Pumping Rate

- Cease Pumping

- Emergency Stop

41 Carry out spot analysis with vessel’s fuel test kit (if carried)

42 Conduct compatibility test, if necessary

43 Sight, agree and record shore/barge meter readings or tank figures

44 Appoint crewmember to tend mooring lines during bunkering

Prepare filling line and open all relevant valves, ensuing all valves not in
45
use are closed

During Bunkering:

Ensure a crewmember is stationed at the bunker manifold throughout

46
the bunkering operation

47 Commence bunkering at minimum pumping rate

48 Monitor supply line pressure

Examine hose and connections for leakage prior to increasing delivery

49
rate

50 Ensure soundings/ullages of tanks being filled are closely monitored

Periodically check the quantity of fuel in bunker tanks that are not being
51
loaded, or have completed loading

52 Reduce pumping rate and/or open next tank before topping off

Close valves as each tank is completed, ensuring that the loading hose
53
is not subjected to excessive back pressure

54 Ensure sufficient ullage in the final tank for hose draining/line blowing

55 Notify supplier on reaching final tank

56 Give supplier timely warning to reduce pumping rate

57 Give supplier timely warning to stop pumping

58 Drain hoses on completion of bunkering and close all filling valves

On Completion of Bunkering:

59 Ensure all hoses are fully drained

Close manifold valve and blank off manifold connection using all
60
securing bolts, properly tightened, with a gasket in place
Blank off disconnected hose couplings using all securing bolts, properly
61
tightened, with a gasket in place
Loss Prevention Bulletin 6

62 Reconfirm all bunker line and tank filling valves are closed

63 Reconfirm all bunker tank soundings

Ensure all sounding pipe caps are securely fitted and all sounding pipe
64
automatic closure devices, where fitted, are not open

65 Sight, agree and record shore/barge meter readings or tank figures

66 Verify all bunker receipt details are correct

Witness, date, jointly countersign and retain sealed bunker samples in

67
line with company and regulatory requirements

68 Complete entry in Oil Record Book

Signed for ship Signed for supplier

Rank: Designation: