In an era of high fuel costs, transparency is vital. Our "Detective" surveys go beyond standard gauging to identify fuel hidden in non-designated tanks or through structural anomalies
In an industry where margins are tight and fuel costs represent the single largest overhead, transparency is not just a preference—it is a financial necessity. A Bunker Detective Survey, often referred to as a 221B or Fuel Discovery Survey, is a specialized investigative procedure designed to identify and document "hidden" fuel that has not been declared on the vessel’s official logs. At North Surveying & Management B.V., we provide these high-integrity "detective" services to protect charterers from the substantial costs of undeclared fuel consumption.
The motivation for hiding fuel can vary, but the result is always the same: a significant financial discrepancy that penalizes the charterer. This practice, often involving the concealment of fuel in non-designated tanks, void spaces, or through the manipulation of "magic pipes," can lead to tens of thousands of dollars in losses over a single charter period.
When a "detective" survey is performed at the same time as an On/Off Hire survey, the findings can be used to adjust the final financial settlement. If our surveyors discover 20, 40, or even 60 metric tons of hidden fuel—which is not uncommon—the savings for our client are immediate and far exceed the cost of the survey itself.
By appointing NSM, you are sending a clear message: you demand total accountability. Our reports are detailed, photographic, and defensible, providing the hard evidence required to settle disputes with owners or technical managers.
An NSM Bunker Detective survey is far more invasive and detailed than a standard quantity check. Our surveyors approach the vessel with an investigative mindset, looking beyond the obvious sounding pipes. We utilize years of maritime experience to spot the red flags that suggest fuel manipulation.
Our investigative process includes: