The shipping industry depends on fuel oil for efficiency. When Mexico fuel prices and global prices at large are high then the shippers are required to store, bunker and carefully utilize heavy fuel, diesel, and marine gas oils.
The following are some tips to ensure you get the best use out of your fuel:
Maintain the Equipment Regularly
Older vessels usually lack or have incorrect functioning meters for HFO flow. They are also usually not serviced and calibrated regularly. Maintenance and continuous surveying of the HFO flow meter and machinery is a necessity. You need to clean and ensure proper functioning of the meters. Sometimes the maintenance works may not always give the desired results, and you might need to call a machinery removal or transfer company like Lawson Drayage (a sparks rigging company) to replace it with a new one.
Understand the Procedures
Knowing the right procedures of storage and bunkering is crucial in order to prevent spilling of oil and to ensure the vessel is safe. Companies and authorities at the port must ensure proper education and guidance is given to storage and bunkering to enhance safety.
The surrounding pipes need to be properly employed to avoid tank reading errors. For instance, you need to put diesel oil in the HFO pipe a day before bunkering in cold seasons.
Know the Characteristics of the Tanks
The previous crew will help out in understanding how the characteristics of the tank have been. You can keep records of the surrounding together with the determination of quantity in the computer for surveyors.
Conduct Sampling Correctly
It is important to conduct sample testing properly in the labs. Poor quality fuel can negatively affect your vessel. Do your sample testing through reliable laboratories for the most accurate results.
Clean and Inspect Tanks Regularly
Shippers should ensure that tanks that are unused and those being used are cleaned and inspected to avoid leaking.
Inspect to Eliminate Water from Air in the Tanks
When diesel is carried in smaller quantities, the air which resides in the tank\’s empty space can condense in cold environments. You should regularly check the possibility of the presence of water in the air and eliminate it. When performing a clean-out or inspection of pipes located at a relatively high level, you may benefit from using a steady and stable work platform. Also, it is possible to safely and efficiently repair any leaks or burst pipes with such elevated platforms.
Avoid Mixing Fuels
Oils from different origins should not be mixed even when the grade is the same. Mixing oils can cause issues during burning. When fuel is purified and filtered, it will burn better which will help conserve it.
Temperature and Viscosity Maintenance
380-cst fuel needs to be around 135 degrees Celsius for 380-CST to burn most efficiently.
Fuel that is unused for a long time can form Sulphur which is against international maritime laws. Only load fuel when your vessel will be consuming it in the near future.
Check the Air Pipes
Ensure the air pipes are structurally fit and the wire mesh is not clogged or damaged.
Cleanliness of the Steam Condenser
To avoid causing high fuel temperature alarms, it\’s essential to keep the steam condenser clean.
Install Flow Meters
The problem of quantity discrepancies can cause unnecessary schedule delays. This can be avoided by installing technical flow meters on barges.
Hold Regular Discussions
The crew must be in constant communication in order to plan out bunker elements and safety matters that need implementation. The Mexico fuel price and pricing of other locations can be part of the discussion as well.
