What does the pre-testing of bunker fuels involve?
The pre-testing service offered by Intertek Lintec enables the quality of fuel to be known prior to delivery to the vessel.
The fuel purchaser can then decide whether to accept the fuel, or request the supplier to provide an alternative bunker stem.
Using this service ensures that off-specification fuel is not delivered to the vessel and minimises the need for costly de-bunkerings.
The key points of this service are:-
The surveyor and Intertek Lintec personnel remain in contact with the supplier to ensure that there are no delays.
Samples are transported to the laboratory where a volumetric composite of all tanks sampled is prepared.
This composite sample is analysed by Intertek Lintec to an abbreviated version of
ISO 8217:2005 or ISO 8217:2012, using modified Intertek Lintec test methods.
Analysis normally takes between 4- 6 hours, although this may be extended if parameters are found to fail to meet the specification.
Results are reported to the vessel, and/or client, before the barge commences pumping to the vessel, so that the quality of fuel designated for that client vessel is known prior to bunkering.
In most cases, barges are instructed by the supplier to wait for Intertek Lintec results prior to commencement of pumping operations.
Sampling of the barge is a critical part of the operation as non-representative samples affect quality.
The Intertek Lintec surveyor is instructed to follow the Intertek Lintec sampling procedure.