The mutual liability insurer says it continues to see bunker quality claims arising from delivery of off-specification bunkers. In many of these cases, fuel-sampling procedures on board at the time of delivery have been inadequate and unreliable. This, the insurer says, complicates the claims handling process.

Asked whether the film was relevant to this year’s implementation of IMO’s mandatory 0.50% sulphur in fuel limit (IMO 2020) and the consequent widespread use of very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) a spokesperson replied that proper sampling had always been a vitally important part of the bunkering process.

They added: “Any disputes between charterers and owners are compounded if the samples cannot be relied upon.