Tropical Cargo Surveys offers a full range of professional bunker survey services designed to promote transparency, prevent fuel loss, and support accurate fuel accounting in marine operations. These services are crucial in today’s maritime industry, where fuel costs constitute a significant portion of operating expenses. Our expertise ensures that shipowners, charterers, operators, and bunker suppliers are all protected from discrepancies, fraudulent practices, and commercial disputes.
The Bunker Quantity Survey is carried out to verify the exact amount of fuel oil onboard a vessel either prior to or after a bunkering operation. This survey is critical for:
Establishing an accurate baseline of fuel stock before new fuel is received or after a bunkering operation is completed
Preventing fuel short-delivery, misdeclaration, or fuel theft.
Ensuring compliance with charter party terms and port authority regulations.
Our surveyors carefully gauge all fuel tanks, including settling, service, and storage tanks, using calibrated measurement tools. They calculate the volume and convert it into metric tons based on temperature and density readings, in accordance with international maritime standards (such as ASTM tables).
The Bunker Delivery Survey focuses on verifying that the quantity of bunker fuel delivered by a bunker barge or terminal matches what is received by the vessel. This is a crucial process for:
Ensuring accurate invoicing and payment by the receiving party.
Protecting shipowners and charterers from overbilling or under-delivery.
Maintaining transparency between bunker suppliers and vessel operators.
During a BDS, we conduct synchronized tank measurements on both the delivery barge and receiving vessel before and after the transfer. We also closely monitor the bunkering process to ensure proper procedures are followed and all documentation (like bunker delivery notes, density certificates, and temperature logs) are accurate and complete.
The Remaining Onboard survey determines the exact quantity of bunker fuel still present in a vessel’s tanks at a given point in time. This is typically performed:
At the end or commencement of a charter period, to settle accounts between the owner and charterer.
Before entering port, to ensure sufficient fuel reserves are maintained.
During fuel consumption audits or voyage planning, to assess operational efficiency.
Our team provides detailed ROB reports supported by precise tank measurements, temperature, and density analysis. This data is essential for financial reconciliation, voyage cost calculations, and compliance with environmental and operational standards.
Why Choose Tropical Cargo Surveys for Bunker Operations?
Certified and experienced bunker surveyors.
Use of industry-standard equipment and ASTM-compliant procedures.
Independent and impartial reporting for transparency and reliability.
Rapid reporting turnaround for timely decision-making.
Global standards with localized knowledge of African and international ports.
