Joanna James
Fuel oil is a precious commodity that must be taken great care of, and great focus is placed on bunkering and storing them on ships, so as to be careful when measuring consumption. These are 5 ways to manage fuel usage in ships.
The HFO flow meter is often an overlooked piece of equipment in older storage ships, without proper regulation or calibration, while some don't even have it. The best practices must include HFO inspection during the PMS and Continuous machinery survey, as it is quite an important protocol to follow, yet is bizarrely shunned. Surveyors usually question whether the oil flow meters in the main engine and fuel lines are cleaned routinely, as blackouts have been known to occur due to the fuel lines being neglected.
This is very crucial when it comes to fuel oil in ships, as poor following of procedures may result in oil spills, causing damage to the environment and massive losses for the company, therefore they must ensure all personnel have the necessary training and experience to carry out bunkering in a safe and careful manner. A great blueprint for renewable energy companies in Sri Lanka to follow is that of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, which has provided extensive guidelines and detailed notes on proper bunkering methods. While quality is not deemed a problem in Singapore, there are occasional issues due to air blowing, which is called "cappuccino bunker".
Sound pipes must be utilised to ensure the accuracy of tank readings remain high. Erroneous results usually occur because of difficulty sending the tape through the sounding pipe. If the sounding pipe is straight, sending a rod through it to measure the volume is a useful hack, especially if the climate is cold. Be mindful of the fact that some trim conditions are not properly represented in calibration manuals and the volume cannot be measured properly. Putting a litre of diesel oil into the sounding pipes of the HFO tanks one day before bunkering is a good practice to follow.
It is important to consult with previous crews and gain their insights on tank characteristics, as well as keeping records of frequent soundings and digitally stored quantity diagnoses for the convenience of the surveyors.
It has been emphasised on the importance of safe bunkering, therefore planning is needed before bunkering and storage actions. Pre-bunkering meetings must be held to divide tasks among the crew and keep them properly informed, important practices that are followed at companies such as McLarens Sri Lanka. The safety protocols must be stressed and the staff must participate in the mooring and providing safe access to those in charge of the bunkering. They must also watch over the proceedings with an eagle eye, and respond to requirements in quick time so as to ensure the operation goes smoothly.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
