Bunkers in Chartering: Fuel and the Bunker Clause
Bunkers is the shipping word for the fuel of a ship. Who pays for it, and how the remaining fuel is settled, depends on the type of charter and on the bunker clause.
What bunkers are
Bunkers are the fuel oil and the diesel that run the ship's engines and generators. A ship takes bunkers at a port that has a supply, often called bunkering. The cost of the fuel is a large part of the cost of a voyage, so every charter says who carries it.
Voyage charter
In a voyage charter the ship operator pays for the fuel. The cost is already in the freight, so the charterer does not buy fuel separately. If the voyage takes longer than expected for reasons of the ship operator, the extra fuel is still for the ship operator.
Time charter
In a time charter the charterer pays for the fuel used while the ship is on hire, and also for port charges. The ship operator pays crew, maintenance and insurance. This is why a time charterer keeps an eye on the speed and consumption of the ship that the contract states.
The bunker clause
The clause covers the fuel on board at the start and at the end of the charter. At delivery the charterer takes over the fuel on board and pays for it at a price stated in the contract. At redelivery the ship operator takes back what is left and pays for it. The clause names the quantity, the quality and the price, so that the amounts are clear. It also usually says that the fuel must meet a stated standard.
Fuel rules to check
Many ports and sea areas have limits on the sulphur content of the fuel, and the charter party says which fuel the ship uses and who carries the extra cost of a low-sulphur fuel. Ask for the fuel quality, the consumption at the agreed speed and the ports where fuel will be taken. See the charter party guide for the other main clauses.
Post your ship request
Shipfixing connects charterers and ship operators. We scan for suitable ships. Voyage requests for ships below 10,000 DWT need no signup and no membership.
Related guides
More in glossary
- Contract of Affreightment (COA)
- Time Charter vs Voyage Charter
- Laycan
- Laytime
- Demurrage and Despatch
- Notice of Readiness
- Charterer
- Shipowner, ship operator, disponent owner
- Ship broker
- Ship fixing and fixture
- Bulk carrier
- Deadweight tonnage (DWT)
- Bill of lading
- Baltic Dry Index
- Lien
- Off-hire
- FIO and FIOS
- Cancelling date
- Ton-mile
- Statement of facts
- Letter of indemnity
- Ballast voyage
- Dead freight
- Lighterage
- Stem
- Subjects
Shipfixing is a digital platform. We are not a ship broker, ship agent or carrier, and we are not a party to any charter.