Congo, Democratic Republic of - Moanda Oil Terminal

CIMAC guideline: marine fuel handling in connection to stability and compatibility

This guideline helps the reader understand stability and compatibility issues. Furthermore, it explains the different test methods, both for onboard evaluation and for tests performed in laboratories. It compliments and expands on the information given in ISO/PAS 23263:2019 and supports the ISO standard 8217:2017 on specifications of marine fuels.

LNG Fuel Delivery Clause for Time Charter Parties

In 2021 BIMCO initiated a project to develop a suite of LNG fuel clauses for time charter parties. The number of LNG fuelled ships in operation is growing steadily and the suite reflects the need to have bespoke clauses in time charters for these ships. The LNG clauses cover matters related to the LNG quality, delivery/redelivery, gas-freeing and cooling down and an operational clause. For dual-fuel ships the clauses are intended to be used together with the existing BIMCO bunker clauses for conventional fuel oils. The current suite of LNG fuel clauses for use in time charter parties also consists of: LNG Bunker Operational Clause for Time Charter Parties LNG Fuel Gas freeing and Cool down Clause LNG Fuel Quality Clause

BIMCO tackling safety challenges around sulphur cap at IMO

The safety challenges connected with the implementation of the 0.50% sulphur cap are numerous, but not insurmountable. The issues are to some extent known from the implementation of the sulphur emission control areas (SECA) in 2015, among others loss of power, leaking fuel and lower flashpoints. Other issues have to be managed by digging out the experience from the 1980’s with very bad fuel oil quality e.g. instability and incompatibility.

Fuel oil No. 6

Fuel oil No. 6

Ecuador, Balao Oil Terminal - Harbour

Fuel Testing Programme 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.

2020 Marine Fuel Sulphur Content Clause for Time Charter Parties

BIMCO has produced two clauses for time charter parties to address key contractual issues relating to the switch to fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.50% as of 1 January 2020. The two clauses are the 2020 Marine Fuel Sulphur Content Clause, which replaces the BIMCO Fuel Sulphur Content Clause 2005, and the 2020 Fuel Transition Clause, which deals with switching between fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 3.50% and fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.50% by 1 January 2020. Both clauses should be incorporated into time charter parties. This clause was published on 10 December 2018.

Gabon, Lucina Oil Terminal - Documents