What Is Bunker Quantity Surveyor In Oil And Gas Industry?

Bunker Survey, also known as a Bunker Delivery Survey, Bunker Quantity Survey (BQS) or Bunker Stem Survey, is a critical part of bunker delivery loss prevention. The bunker surveyor is mainly used to independently check and determine the quantity delivered by the barge and the quantity received by the vessel. These two quantities should be within an acceptable tolerance (usually 0.5% of the quantity received) and if not, the surveyor must investigate the cause of the discrepancy.

The scope of work of the bunker surveyor during his participation, in addition to the pre- and post-relocation meeting and documentation, requires that:

1. Take a full initial measurement of all vessel tanks and record the actual initial quantity of tanks on board the vessel.
2. Compare the actual readings with the vessel’s data, and if you find a discrepancy, remeasure the vessel’s tanks.
3. Take a full initial measurement of all the boat’s tanks and record the actual initial amount of fuel in the boat’s bunker.
4. Ensure that the sampling device is properly set up to collect drip samples from the reservoir during refueling.
5. Check that standard bunker moving safety procedures are followed.
6. During refueling, regularly monitor the ship’s tanks for cappuccino bunkers or trapped air.
7. Take a thorough final measurement of all the boat’s tanks and record the actual amount of bunker fuel remaining on the boat.
8. Take a thorough final measurement of all the vessel’s tanks and record the actual amount of tanks on board when refilling is complete.
9. Determine the quantity delivered by the barge and the quantity received by the vessel.
10. Close and label the bunker samples. See sampling procedures for more details on bunker sampling.

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What is Bunker Survey ?

A survey is a means of viewing and examining the state of an object. A Bunker Survey is an examination of a ship’s fuel to determine its total amount on board. it can be the amount of ROB, ROB is the fuel oil remaining on board such as MGO (Marine Gas Oil) or MFO (Marine Fuel Oil) or LSFO (Low Sulfur Fuel Oil) or HSFO (High Sulfur Fuel Oil) or LSMDO (low sulfur marine diesel). Bunker survey is done mostly by visual observation, fact-finding, general data and ideas, measurements, technical matters etc. and recommendations if necessary. A bunker survey is done to measure and determine the amount of bunker on board at a specific time. This survey consists of a report that indicates the amount of bunker, usually fuel oil (FO) and diesel (DO), and sometimes lube oil (LO) is included. A bunker surveyor is a person who holds a valid bunker surveyor’s card issued by the implementing authority. A surveyor is a person who carries out a survey, to carry out the work the person is expected to be independent and backed by sufficient professionalism.

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What is Purpose of Bunker Survey ?

The purpose of a bunker survey is to determine the bunker quantity (can be OBQ (On Board Quantity) or ROB (Remaining On Board) quantity) at the time of the survey.

Need of Bunker Survey:

In the case of the condition below, it is necessary to conduct a bunker survey:

1. Delivery of ships or re-delivery of the vessel, the reason is to find out the amount of bunker that the charterer must return to the owner at the end of the charter party.
2. Being “off-charter” when the boat is still on charter, the reason is to find out the spent bunker during the “off-charter period”, which is the responsibility of the owner.
3. Bunker supply, whether ship-to-ship or shore-to-ship, is to avoid “cheating” on the quantity supplied.
4. The reason for certain purposes is to adjust the actual on board (OBQ/ROB) “check on spot” logbook entry

A Bunker Survey, also known as a Bunker Delivery Survey, Bunker Quantity Survey (BQS) or Bunker Stem Survey, is a critical part of bunker delivery loss prevention.

Bunker surveyors are mainly employed to independently check and determine the quantity delivered by the barge and the quantity received by the vessel. These two quantities should be within an acceptable tolerance (usually 0.5% of the quantity received) and if not, the surveyor must investigate the cause of the discrepancy.

The scope of work of the bunker surveyor during his participation, in addition to the pre- and post-relocation meeting and documentation, requires:

• Take a full initial measurement of all vessel tanks and record the actual initial quantity of tanks on board the vessel.
• Compare the actual readings with the vessel’s data, and if you find a discrepancy, remeasure the vessel’s tanks.
• Take a full initial measurement of all the boat’s tanks and record the actual initial amount of fuel in the boat’s bunker.
• Ensure that the sampling device is properly set up to collect drip samples from the reservoir during refueling.
• Check that standard bunker moving safety procedures are followed.
• During refueling, regularly monitor the ship’s tanks for cappuccino bunkers or trapped air.
• Take a thorough final measurement of all the boat’s tanks and record the actual amount of bunker fuel remaining on the boat.
• Take a thorough final measurement of all the vessel’s tanks and record the actual amount of tanks on board when refilling is complete.
• Determine the quantity delivered by the barge and the quantity received by the vessel.

Appointing the right surveyor

As the bunker surveyor plays an important role in the bunker fueling process, it is important to ensure that the correct surveyor is appointed. There have been numerous cases where bunker surveyors along with barge and ship personnel have been found involved in malpractices. Usually one should not be called a one man company or a small group with 3 to 4 surveyors. You can save up to $200 in survey fees, but unless thorough due diligence has been done, the likelihood of losing much more in terms of bunker quantity is quite high.

Even when appointing a medium-sized or larger surveying company, the following points should be checked:

• Competence of the surveyors:

In some places, such as Singapore, only licensed bunker surveyors can participate. In other places, the experience of the surveyors with the survey of the hinterland and bunkers should be checked.

• Additional training and upgrading:

Does the company provide additional training (beyond normal licensing or work exposure). Some companies focus on continuously improving the expertise of their surveyors through internal training programs aimed at sharing knowledge, recent experiences and customer feedback.

• Deterrents against malpractice:

It can be tempting for surveyors to indulge in malpractice when large sums are at stake. Therefore, it becomes essential for the company to apply very strong and strict deterrent measures to ensure the integrity of its surveyors, which will limit them from succumbing to temptation.

• Monitoring the surveyors:

Some companies have an unannounced spot check procedure to audit their surveyors during a bunker survey. This can be evidenced from their recent surveyor checklist.

How many bunker surveyors did the company employ? Are they full-time or outsourced: Many large companies employ several full-time surveyors and rely on the services of outside surveyors for most of their appointments. These external surveyors are mostly from smaller survey companies with 1 to 4 men. The importance of using only full-time internal surveyors cannot be overemphasized, as this is the only way a surveying company can maintain strict control over its work practices, expertise and ethics through further training, close monitoring and deterrence of malpractice.

• Experienced and well-equipped

The attending surveyor must be experienced, well-trained and adequately equipped with professional and calibrated equipment, including measuring tape and electronic thermometer, water and oil indicator paste, flashlight, sufficient gaskets, samples, papers and multimeter. – gas detector for safety.

In addition to conducting a fuel quantity survey (BQS) for the amount and type of fuel to be refueled, the surveyor will also advise and assist the Chief Engineer with any safety checklist, custom and contractor-required paperwork such as bunker requisition and sample labels.

• Proper measurements

After completing and signing all the relevant papers, the surveyor will need to focus on all the measurements. It will begin with a thorough measurement of all named and unnominated tanks of the vessel, including settling, service and overflow tanks and all tanks related to the bunker intake system.

It will also measure temperatures from all tanks at the same time, unless access to a particular tank is possible, in which case a temperature indication must be made on the vessel or tank computer. At the bunker, the surveyor, together with a crew member and a representative from the bunker, will measure all nominated and non-nominated bunkers and measure the temperatures from each tank.

Both vessel and tank tanker will need to use indicator paste for free water detection for distillate fuels unless required by local regulations for all species.

With correct and accurate measurements, the surveyor plays an important role in preventing the manipulation of the bunker quantity.

• Safety Checks

Often seen as a valued aide to the chief engineer, the surveyor will also advise whether the tanker is safely moored to ensure safe access from the vessel to the tanker and vice versa, either by lowering the pilot’s ladder or gangway. In some cases, a safety basket can also be used. The surveyor will check that the hoses are in good condition and well supported in accordance with relevant international standards and that the tanker hose is securely attached with sufficient bolts.

As a bridge in effective communication between the tanker and the vessel, the surveyor can even allow an immediate halt to refueling once a problem or danger is detected.

Even when MFM is used, the surveyor’s role is critical as the vessel may be short of hands and the crew is overworked and not knowledgeable about flow meter technology. Therefore, they will not be able to properly monitor or process the delivery of MFM.

• Sample Collection & Documentation

The surveyor is also responsible for taking representative samples. The objective of sampling is to get all parties to agree on one common representative sample taken by the drip method, preferably at the manifold of the container (instead of handing over to custody), provided that suitable sampling equipment is available.

This sample must be taken and checked during the entire operation of the bunker and should be properly mixed and bottled after the operation of the bunker has ended. Bottles must be labeled, sealed and distributed to all parties involved. This representative sample will be very important evidence in case of a dispute about the bunker. Geodet also provides independent third-party verification and protection for customers in legal matters.

After bunker operation is completed, the surveyor will recheck all tanks on both the bunker and the vessel. When everything is in order, the supplier’s delivery note (BDN) will be signed and the relevant documents will be distributed to all parties.

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• Reliable, real-time data

With a proper survey carried out by an surveyor, the ship owner or operator will have accurate data in real time and can act quickly if necessary. At the same time, the surveyor can also help ensure compliance with the port’s fueling regulations.

• Stringent Code of Practice

To ensure strict quality control, supervisors conduct regular audits to determine whether surveyors are following procedures, using the correct equipment, and whether the vessel’s crew is “happy” or satisfied with the service provided by the attending surveyor. This establishes best practices for documentation, equipment requirements and verification procedures during bunker operation.

Since bunkers are sold by weight but delivered by volume, a professional bunker surveyor is required to ensure the correct quantity is delivered. An experienced surveyor can prevent the supplier from using “tricks of the trade” to cheat buyers, as the investigative survey of the remaining on board includes the search for hidden bunkers, as well as the investigation of deficiencies or alleged “cappuccino” during refueling.

The surveyor will also offer a helping hand with discrepancies or errors in the BDN and advise vessel personnel accordingly and assist in resolving quantity disputes.

Survey Tools required for Bunker Surveyor

• Notes Book.
• Sounding Tape
• Thermometer
• Density Meter for Oil (0.750 -1.000)
• Oil and Water Paste
• Petroleum ASTM Table 54B (for Product Oil) and Table 56
• Google and Glove
• Flashlight
• Sampling Can
• Bottle or Can for Sampling (if required taken samples).

Role of Bunker Surveyor

A bunker surveyor must be impartial and free of conflict of interest in the performance of his professional duties.

In providing these professional services, they must be independent and not be influenced by any third party before, during and after refueling.

They must report to the implementing authority (if required) any non-compliance, any irregularities in refueling or any obstacles to the application of this standard.

The tank surveyor must inspect, measure, sample, test, examine, examine and report as necessary on refueling operations and refueling status using a mass flow meter.

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How to be a Bunk Surveyor

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