Shipmaster's Bunkering Manual (BIMCO) (2022)

This publication aims to provide the industry with an important tool for everyone involved directly in bunkering to be fully aware of how to execute bunkering in practice.

The manual covers the fuel types, regulations and contracts directly associated with marine fuels as well as detailing the origin and supply chain of marine bunkers. It also details bunkering procedures and explains the process of measuring and calculating the contents of supply vessel and ship’s tanks before and after a bunker delivery.

BIMCO members, please enter the Promotional Code ‘BIMCO’ during checkout for 20% off.

Note: BIMCO members have access to the data included in this publication on the BIMCO website.

Foreword for The IBIA & BIMCO Shipmaster’s Bunkering Manual Bunkering is a crucial element of running a ship. The process can heavily impact cost, and potentially the environment, safety of the cargo, the ship, and its crew. Therefore, it is critical for everyone involved directly in bunkering to be fully aware of how to execute bunkering in practice.

The Shipmaster’s Bunkering Manual is a unique result of cooperation between BIMCO and IBIA to create insight and practical understanding of bunkering across the shipping sectors. Bunker suppliers and buyers do not always see the world in the same way, which can create tension and commercial issues. With the launch of this publication, BIMCO and IBIA aim to create a common understanding of best practices before, during and after bunkering to facilitate bunker deliveries and safe handling world-wide every day. This is the fundamental purpose of the manual.

As the shipping industry works towards decarbonisation, bunkering is expected to become even more complicated than it is today, as the demand for alternative fuels rises. IBIA and BIMCO, therefore, plan to review and update the manual on a regular basis in the transformative years to come, with the aim of providing the industry with an important tool in the process.

Unni Einemo IBIA
David Loosley BIMCO

Definitions and Acronyms

Chapter 1 Fuel types, regulations and contracts

1.1 Risk and importance

1.2 Marine fuel oil

1.3 Key regulations

1.4 Contracts and charter parties

Chapter 2 Origin and supply chain of marine bunkers

2.1 Bunker nomination and quantity

2.2 What to bunker

2.3 What to do if sulphur compliant fuel is not available

2.4 Port-specific rules

2.5 The role of the agent

2.6 Preparing the bunker lines, tanks, fuel distribution and management systems

2.7 Sampling preparation and equipment

2.8 Bunker Delivery Note (BDN)

2.9 Certificates of quality

2.10 Bunker nomination

2.11 Checklists

2.12 Bunker checklist aide-memoire

Chapter 3 Bunkering procedure

3.1 The roles of the members of the ship bunkering team

3.2 MARPOL delivered sample and samples for commercial use

3.3 Monitoring of the bunkering process

3.4 Spills

3.5 Health and safety during a bunkering operation

3.6 Checklists

Chapter 4 Calculation of bunker quantity

4.1 Calculation of bunker quantity

4.2 Sample storage

4.3 Bunker fuel comingling and compatibility testing

4.4 Interpretation of fuel quality test data – commercial and statutory considerations

4.5 Oil Record Book (ORB)

4.6 When things go wrong

4.7 Storage of bunker fuels

4.8 Checklist after completion of the bunkering operation

Annexes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The organisation has NGO status and is based in Copenhagen, Denmark, with offices in Athens, Singapore and Shanghai.

With around 1900 member companies across 120 countries, from the largest shipowners in the world to small local port agents and law firms, BIMCO represents a wide range of maritime companies and organisations.

BIMCO’s goal is to secure a level playing field for the global shipping industry. BIMCO therefore works to promote and secure global standards and regulations for the maritime sector. The organisation’s century long effort into creating standard contracts and clauses is an expression of that aim.