New bunker alert service available for BIMCO members

Bunker fuel is a key element in the running of ships, and problems related to bunkers can massively impact daily operations. Information about bunker quality issues is of high value and BIMCO has therefore entered into a new cooperation with Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) who publishes regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples.

Bunkers

VPS Bunker Alerts

Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples. The bunker samples are analysed by VPS whenever a short-term quality issue is identified in a specific port or region.

Bunker Quality and Liability Clause 2011

In October 2009 BIMCO initiated a project to develop a suite of standard bunker clauses for use in time charter parties. The rationale behind developing the suite is simply to address the ever increasing importance of bunker issues in time charter parties and the need to ensure that the risk of bunker disputes is minimised by clearly worded clauses that reflect legislative developments. The Suite of Clauses was adopted by BIMCO’s Documentary Committee at its meeting in Vancouver in June 2011. The Suite provides clauses covering matters relating to delivery/redelivery bunkers; bunkering operations; sampling; fuel testing programmes; and ECA trading, all of which are matters that are frequently absent from or insufficient in many standard time charter parties. Many older time charter forms contain bunker clauses covering the fundamental principles under the charter, but simply do not contemplate today’s situation where vessels are required to carry and use several grades of fuel and where sampling and testing regimes are an integral part of the process.

Bunker Quality Control Clause for Time Chartering

This clause was published on 19 May 1981.

Bunker issues

Bunker Non-Lien Clause for Time Charter Parties 2014

The objective of the Bunker Non-Lien Clause is to provide a pre-emptive mechanism to protect owners by requiring time charterers to inform their counterparty, the seller, at the outset that bunkers ordered are being supplied for their account and that no lien can be placed over the vessel.

Bad bunker risk will rise in 2020: Bunker states must take action

Recent reports of a rise in fuel contamination cases have increased the industry’s concerns over quality and safety of blended fuels as 2020 approaches. And for a good reason. A spike in demand for new low sulphur blends from 1 January 2020 will greatly increase the risk of contamination. Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Secretary General of BIMCO calls for bunker states to take responsibility.

Bunker terms strengthened by compromise

A greater focus in the bunker industry on contract wording, risk assessment and “knowing your counterpart” has been a motivator for updating the BIMCO Terms bunker contract, due for release in November 2017.

New Bunker Terms will boost harmonisation

BIMCO’s Documentary Committee is expected to adopt a new version of the standard contract Bunker Terms in New York on May 2. The Bunker Terms 2018 have been drafted by representatives from across the bunker industry. It is a balanced set of terms and conditions designed to be fair for both buyers and sellers.