Bunker Claims Prevention: A Guide to Good Practice Book

First published in 2000, this unique illustrated guide explains how to avoid the potentially catastrophic losses arising from loading marine fuel oils ('bunkers') of unsuitable quality or insufficient quantity. It aims to assist a ship's officers, operators and managers understand the pitfalls of the bunkering process and the steps which should be undertaken in the event of a dispute arising. The second edition has been fully updated to take into account the requirements and implications of the 2008 revisions to MARPOL Annex VI on air pollution restrictions, including the new requirements for Emission Control Areas, as well as the latest edition of the ISO 8217 international specification for marine fuel oils. The nature of marine fuel oil is explained along with associated purchasing contracts, loading and handling procedures, shipboard treatment methods, sampling and testing techniques, and loss-prevention and insurance aspects. The guide includes a copy of the BIMCO Standard Bunker Contract, recommended clauses for bunker quality control and a set of recommended standard letters. The main authors are marine engineer Chris Fisher, formerly with Texaco and DNV Petroleum and now director of Bunker Claims International; marine engineer Richard Bracken, formerly with Shell Tankers and now underwriter at North of England P&I club; and solicitor Mike Salthouse, formerly with Norton Rose and now claims director at North of England.