The benefits of good housekeeping

Ian Barr, of the London P&I Club, reviews cases of concern to the Club and its members

Countering the cappuccino effect

There has been extensive recent media coverage of problems caused by excessive amounts of air in bunkers delivered to ships. This so-called “cappuccino effect” may be described essentially as the frothing or bubbling effect caused by compressed air blown through the delivery hose. The aerated bunkers when sounded will give the impression that the fuel is delivered as ordered. In fact, after some time when the entrapped air in suspension settles out of the fuel oil, the oil level drops and a shortfall is discovered.