Bunker Survey Project – Marine Fuel Quantity & ROB Verification
PAMS bunker survey project services provide independent technical verification of marine fuel quantities, remaining on board (ROB), bunker delivery quantities and supporting documentation for vessel operations, delivery, redelivery, on-hire and off-hire assessments.
Bunker Survey Project Overview
A bunker survey project is undertaken to establish an independent technical record of marine fuel quantities on board a vessel and, where applicable, quantities received during bunkering.
PAMS provides independent bunker survey attendance covering fuel tank measurements, ROB verification, bunker quantity reconciliation, Bunker Delivery Note review and supporting technical documentation.
The project scope is defined according to the vessel, bunkering arrangement, location, available tank calibration information, operational conditions and the requirements of the client.
Project Objectives
Quantity Verification
Establish and document the quantity of marine fuel on board or received during the applicable bunker operation.
ROB Verification
Independently verify remaining on board fuel quantities using available tank measurement and calibration data.
Documentation Review
Review relevant bunker documentation, including the Bunker Delivery Note and available supporting records.
Quantity Reconciliation
Compare measured quantities with declared bunker quantities and identify apparent differences requiring further review.
Project Methodology
Pre-Survey Assessment
Review vessel particulars, bunker arrangements, tank calibration information, previous bunker records and the agreed survey requirements.
Initial Measurements
Attend the vessel and establish the initial bunker position using applicable sounding or ullage measurements and available tank calibration information.
Bunkering Attendance
Where included, attend the bunker operation and record relevant bunker delivery information, measurements and operational observations.
Final Measurements
Conduct or verify post-bunkering measurements and establish the resulting fuel quantity and ROB position.
Reconciliation
Compare measured quantities with declared delivery quantities and supporting bunker documentation.
Technical Reporting
Prepare an independent survey record documenting the measurements, calculations, observations and agreed scope.
Bunker Survey Project Scope
ROB Verification
Verification of remaining fuel quantities on board before and/or after the bunker operation.
Bunker Delivery Quantity
Assessment of bunker quantities delivered against available vessel measurements and declared delivery information.
Tank Sounding & Ullage
Review or attendance of fuel tank sounding and ullage measurements used for bunker quantity determination.
Temperature & Density
Record and review available temperature and density information relevant to bunker quantity calculations.
BDN Review
Review the applicable Bunker Delivery Note and compare declared information with available survey evidence.
Sampling & Sealing
Attend or coordinate representative bunker sampling and sealing arrangements where specifically included in the agreed project scope.
Quantity Reconciliation
Reconcile initial and final bunker positions against the declared bunker delivery quantity.
Technical Evidence
Document measurements, records, calculations and relevant observations supporting the bunker survey position.
Project Documentation Reviewed
| Document / Record | Project Relevance |
|---|---|
| Bunker Delivery Note | Declared fuel grade, quantity, density information, delivery details and available supplier information. |
| Tank Calibration Tables | Tank capacities and calibration data used for bunker quantity calculations. |
| Sounding / Ullage Records | Initial and final fuel tank measurements and relevant measurement conditions. |
| ROB Records | Comparison between declared remaining fuel and measured bunker quantities. |
| Fuel Sampling Records | Sample identification and sealing information, where sampling is included in the project scope. |
| Vessel Operational Records | Relevant bunker transfer, consumption and machinery records where required for reconciliation. |
Project Assessment Process
Attendance Planning
Establish vessel location, attendance timing, bunkering arrangements, access requirements and agreed scope.
Initial Bunker Position
Establish the vessel's bunker position before delivery or at the agreed survey commencement point.
Delivery Monitoring
Record relevant information during the bunker delivery where attendance forms part of the agreed project scope.
Final Bunker Position
Establish the final fuel position following completion of the bunker operation.
Quantity Reconciliation
Assess the relationship between initial ROB, delivered quantity and final ROB.
Reporting
Prepare the applicable bunker survey documentation and technical findings.
What the Bunker Survey Project Helps Establish
Independent evidence of the bunker quantity received within the agreed measurement scope.
Documented ROB position before and after the applicable bunker operation.
Identification and documentation of apparent differences between measured and declared bunker quantities.
Comparison of bunker documentation with available vessel measurement evidence.
Independent bunker quantity evidence for applicable vessel delivery, redelivery, on-hire or off-hire assessments.
Structured technical records supporting commercial, operational or claims-related review.
Technical Principle
A bunker quantity survey should not automatically be treated as laboratory fuel-quality certification. Where fuel quality or specification compliance is disputed, appropriate representative sampling, chain-of-custody arrangements and independent laboratory testing may be required.
Project Deliverables
Survey Summary
Concise summary of attendance, bunker measurements, quantities and principal observations.
Bunker Survey Report
Technical report documenting the applicable bunker survey measurements, calculations and findings.
Quantity Reconciliation
Comparison of initial ROB, delivered quantity and final ROB based on the available measurement evidence.
Supporting Evidence
Relevant bunker documentation, measurement records, observations and supporting information within the agreed project scope.
Who Can Benefit From a Bunker Survey Project?
Shipowners & Operators
Independent bunker quantity evidence for operational control, delivery and vessel management.
Charterers
Independent bunker position and quantity evidence for charter-party, on-hire and off-hire requirements.
P&I & Claims Interests
Technical evidence supporting the investigation of bunker quantity discrepancies and related claims.
Commercial Stakeholders
Independent technical documentation supporting commercial bunker quantity reconciliation.
Technical Reference Framework
Primary delivery documentation reviewed where applicable.
Relevant where contractually applicable to marine fuel specification requirements.
Applicable regulatory framework concerning marine fuel and air pollution requirements.
Calibration information supporting bunker quantity calculations.
Charter-party, bunker supply and commercial requirements applicable to the project.
Applicable representative sampling and sealing procedures where included within the agreed scope.
Relevant operational and bunker transfer records supporting quantity reconciliation.
Local requirements affecting bunker attendance and operational arrangements.
Independent Technical Oversight
Independent Consultancy
Independent technical bunker survey services without representing the interests of the fuel supplier or another commercial party.
Technical Experience
Surveys are led by Gregory Apostologlou, Managing Director, Mechanical Engineer, Marine Technical Superintendent and authorized PHRS Surveyor.
Decision-Ready Reporting
Clear technical documentation designed to support operational, commercial and claims-related decisions.
Independent Evidence
Objective measurement records and technical observations based on the agreed survey scope and available evidence.
About the Technical Author
Technical Content Review
Last Technical Review: July 2026
Review Frequency: Periodically, reflecting applicable international maritime regulations, recognized marine fuel practices and relevant technical guidance.
Engineering Reference Notice
Bunker survey methodology and actual attendance scope depend on vessel type, vessel location, access arrangements, bunkering configuration, tank calibration information, available documentation, measurement conditions, client requirements and the agreed survey scope.
Quantity calculations depend on the accuracy and suitability of the measurement methods and vessel documentation available at the time of survey.
A bunker survey does not constitute laboratory fuel-quality certification unless separate fuel sampling and laboratory testing services are specifically included and performed by the appropriate testing facility.
This project page describes a general technical service framework. Individual bunker survey assignments are subject to the vessel, location, operational circumstances and agreed scope of work.
Related Bunker Survey Resources
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Contact PAMS to discuss an independent bunker survey project, ROB verification, bunker quantity reconciliation, on-hire/off-hire survey or investigation of an apparent bunker quantity discrepancy.
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