CASTROL SAFETY BULLETIN
MARINE LUBRICANTS
BUNKERING
Issue One: July 2014
LUBRICANTS BUNKERING PROCEDURE FOR MARINE PRODUCT DELIVERY
In the light of a recent incident, we have taken the opportunity to issue a reminder of the procedures for delivery of
Castrol marine lubricants to vessels designed to help prevent future incidents.
This incident took place during a delivery to a sea-going vessel where unreleased pressure in the ship’s pipework
caused around 100 litres of a product to spill onto the deck after the marine hose was disconnected. A small
amount (about 1 litre) entered the water. Following the correct procedure for bulk liquid transfer operations and
industry guidelines for bunkering procedures would have prevented this.
Bulk Delivery Procedure and the Pre-Delivery Check list
It’s important that responsibility and accountability for the safe conduct of cargo transfer operations is shared jointly
between the receiver and the supplier.
Before starting every transfer operation, the barge representative or truck driver (the supplier) and nominated
receiving vessel officer (the receiver) must discuss, agree and document the completion of mandatory safety
checks and precautions, and confirm details of the actual transfer operation.
Before the cargo is transferred, the supplier must try to board the vessel to confirm information on the Pre-Delivery
Checklist with the receiver’s representative. If it is not practical to board the vessel the information on the PreDelivery Checklist still has to be obtained before the transfer takes place.
The Pre-Delivery Checklist must be completed before products can be physically delivered.

The contracted supplier invites the receiver to go through, check and complete all of the items listed in the
Pre-Delivery Checklist together.

The checklist should be acknowledged by the receiver before the delivery starts. If the receiver’s
representative declines the invitation or is unable to complete all the items listed, delivery should not take
place.

If the supplier feels that a safe transfer cannot be assured without a completed Pre-Delivery Checklist, s/he
has the right to halt the delivery.
Guidelines for Use
These guidelines have been produced to help both receiver and supplier personnel use the Pre-Delivery Checklist.
The Pre-Delivery Checklist uses statements which assign responsibility and accountability. Ticking or initialling the
appropriate box, and finally signing the declaration, confirms the acceptance of obligations. Once signed, it
provides the minimum basis for safe operations as agreed through a mutual exchange of critical information.
The Pre-Delivery Checklist should be completed by the people carrying out the bunkering operation (Responsible
Personnel). The receiver’s Responsible Personnel should check everything that lies within the responsibility of the
receiver, and the supplier’s Responsible Personnel should check everything is within the responsibility of the
supplier. In fulfilling their responsibilities, Responsible Personnel should be satisfied that the safety standards on
both sides of the operation are acceptable.
This can be achieved by:

Confirming that a competent person has satisfactorily completed the Checklist

Viewing appropriate records

Inspecting the operation together, where this is appropriate.
To assure mutual safety, before operations start and from time to time afterwards, both Suppliers and Receivers
should verify that the obligations they accepted in the Pre-delivery Checklist are being met.
Typical Delivery Procedure
A typical delivery procedure is made up of these operational steps:

The communication method should be agreed and the Responsible Personnel for both supplier and
customer must be identified and available on deck at all times during the operation.

A responsible ship's officer must agree the sequence and grades to be delivered.

The officer must identify the correct on-board connection(s) for the product(s) to be delivered.

Delivery arm, hose flanges and delivery vessel manifold flanges should all be connected appropriately.
Where the connection is fastened by bolts, all bolt holes should be used and presentation flanges correctly
aligned / orientated.

The ship's officer should be invited to witnesses the meter reading or the tank dip if no meter is used. It
should be documented whether or not the offer is accepted.

The ship’s officer must be aware of the quantity of product to be delivered.

The delivery arm(s) or hose(s) should only be handled as far as the side of the ship. If a hose is connected
or disconnected to ship’s receiving manifold by the supplier, this should be agreed beforehand, and only
carried out with specific assurance from the ship’s crew and under their supervision.
Ensure that:

drip trays are in place and drip tray lids are fully open

ship’s crew confirm that valves are open on the ship

safe flow rates or pressures are not exceeded

ship’s crew is present to check the reception tank does not overflow

samples are taken

the pump is switched off when the correct quantity has been delivered

the hose is drained into the ship's tank or the delivery tank as planned

signatures and stamp to acknowledge receipt are obtained.
Castrol Marine Lubricants Safety Advice
July 2014
This Bulletin and the information it contains is believed to be accurate as of the date of printing. However, no warranty or representation, express or implied, is made as to its accuracy or
completeness. Data provided is based on standard tests under laboratory conditions and is given as a guide only. Users are advised to ensure that they refer to the latest version of this
Bulletin. The information given in this Bulletin is of a general nature. It is not intended to amount to, and should not be relied on as being, technical or legal advice on any specific piece of
equipment or machinery, or regarding any specific issue or problem. No liability is accepted for any such reliance. It is the responsibility of the user to evaluate and use products safely, to
assess suitability for the intended application and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for all our products and should be consulted for
appropriate information regarding storage, safe handling, and disposal of the product. No responsibility is taken by us or other members of our group of companies for any damage or injury
resulting from abnormal use of the material, from any failure to adhere to recommendations, or from hazards inherent in the nature of the material. All products, services and information
supplied are provided under our standard conditions of sale. You should consult your local Castrol representative if you require any further information. Castrol, the Castrol logo and CAREMAX
are the trademarks of Castrol Ltd, used under licence. Produced by BP Marine Limited. Registered in England & Wales, no 01214291. Registered office: Chertsey Road, Sunbury-on-Thames,
Middlesex. TW16 7BP www.castrol.com/marine ©2014 BP Marine Limited. All rights reserved.