Bunkering

Ship bunkering — tasks for bunkering companies and fuel suppliers

Bunkering is the supply of fuel, lubricants and technical fluids to a vessel. The operation of main and auxiliary engines, generators and all onboard equipment depends on it. The Steel Water task board publishes tasks for all types of bunkering: from scheduled port fuelling to urgent supply at sea and emergency replenishment.

Tasks are posted by shipowners, shipping companies, fleet operators, technical managers and agents. Contractors are bunkering companies, marine fuel suppliers, traders, bunker vessel and tank truck operators.

Types of bunkering on the task board

• Port bunkering — fuelling from a bunker barge, tank trucks or shore terminal during the vessel's call
• Bunkering at sea — supply from a bunker vessel at anchorage or in open sea
• Emergency bunkering — urgent fuel supply when the vessel is stopped, delayed or waiting at port
• Lubricating oil supply — marine oils for main engines, auxiliary machinery and hydraulics
• Technical fluids supply — fresh water, antifreeze, cleaning agents, consumable fluids
• Fuel supply in tank containers — for remote sites, shipyards, vessels under construction

What to specify in a bunkering task

• Vessel — name, type, IMO, deadweight, existing BDN
• Fuel type — VLSFO, ULSFO, HSFO, MGO, DMA, DMB, IFO 180/380, lubricants
• Volume — tonnes or cubic metres, with tolerance
• Place and time — port, berth, anchorage, river or sea, bunkering window
• Delivery method — barge, tank trucks, shore, tank containers
• Urgency — scheduled, expedited or emergency
• Additional — sulphur, temperature, certificates, representative on board

What matters for bunkering companies

Bunkering is a deal where timing, fuel quality and document transparency are critical. When responding to a task, specify: availability of the required fuel grade, home port of the barge or tank trucks, delivery timeline, sulphur and density terms, readiness to provide quality certificates and samples, experience with similar vessels at this port. If the task is urgent — confirm the ability to deliver within the next few hours.

Documents and safety

Any bunkering is accompanied by a Bunker Delivery Note (BDN), a certificate of quality and confirmation of MARPOL compliance. When fuelling from a bunker vessel — SS600 checklist, bunkering operation plan and sampling control are mandatory. If you have experience with these standards — mention it in your response.

Post bunkering tasks for free — find a fuel supplier at the required port or at sea. Or respond to tasks if you have a bunker fleet and fuel stocks. All active tasks — in the Bunkering section.

Currently on the task board there are 0 tasks.