SHIP BUNKERING

In the shipping industry, we use the word bunker for fuel and lube oils, which are stored on a ship and used for machinery operation only. If a vessel is carrying marine fuel or lube oil to discharge it to another port, it will not be called “bunker”. If the vessel is carrying it to transfer to another ship for using in its machinery, it will be termed as “bunker” and the operation performed to transport the oil is known as “bunkering”.

The bunkering procedure on a ship can be divided into three important stages:
1. Preparation– Preparing for the bunkering operation which will involve the readiness of bunkering equipment, storage tanks and bunkering safety.
2. Perform– Performing the bunkering operation in real time as per the pre-decided procedure and receiving the marine fuel according to the bunker plan.
3. Wrap-up– Wrapping up the bunkering operation with utmost safety and ensuring the correct amount and quality of bunker fuel has been received onboard from the bunkering facilities (bunker ship or shore truck etc.)