Ship
operators who rely on a myriad of companies for their global bunkering
needs are wasting time, money and energy, Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS)
claimed.
With no guarantee of standardised quality of products and services in
an industry defined by tight margins and cost constraints, this approach
is ultimately bad for business, WSS said.
WSS is now offering an alternative- bunker service agreements. These
are claimed to provide shipping companies with peace of mind and uniform
quality, as WSS’ global agents lead the process for the customer, to
help ensure efficient communication, minimised administration and high
standards. Everything is streamlined - with predictable pricing for a
clear set of deliverables with no hidden extra fees.
WSS estimated that there are over 80,000 bunker-only port calls each
year. Although these are relatively simple operational tasks, they come
with a complex web of administrative and qualitative considerations, as
highlighted by Daniel Wikstroem, Business Manager, Ships Agency, WSS,
who said;“Bunker-only calls can be a real headache for ship operators
used to high quality, efficiency and performance driven day-to-day
operations.”
“Typical bunker calls include up to 40 lines of communication, between
an array of parties – including port agents, bunker brokers and bunker
surveyors – up to two separate financial transactions, and an excessive
administrative workload checking disbursement accounts. Multiply this on
a global level, on a port-by-port basis, and there is huge room for
unpredictability – in terms of the complex delivery chain – and a
massive man-hour inefficiency. And it goes without saying that time is
money.
“Shipping firms will rely on their bunker brokers, or procurement
departments, to select the right fuel supplier, but what information can
they themselves access with regards to typical bunkering times?
Reliability? Punctuality? Ease of use? These factors make a real
difference between a seamless bunkering process and a convoluted,
lengthy and therefore costly one. There’s an opaque area here where it’s
very easy to lose time and money,”he explained.
With this in mind, WSS is advising ship operators to adopt a ‘one stop
shop’ strategy. The Oslo-headquartered business, which undertook over
4,000 bunker-only calls, at over 150 ports, last year, uses its global
network to offer Bunker Service Agreements.
A uniform global bunkering routine ensures that each call runs
smoothly, with, amongst other things: pre-arrival formalities and ISPS
requirements completed 24 hours prior to arrival; bunker suppliers,
surveyors, port authorities and pilots always given vessel ETA updates;
service boats always ready for bunkering surveyors upon arrival, and
completion; and a strict following up of all bunkering progress, WSS
claimed.
Wikstroem said that by switching to the WSS bunkering solution, a
typical client performing around 100 annual bunker calls, would save
over $20,000 per year through reduced bank transactions and paperless
disbursement accounts handling alone.
In addition, WSS’ worldwide operation allows it to accumulate detailed
performance records of suppliers, giving it, and its customers, an
intimate barge-side knowledge of all bunker operations in all major
bunker ports.
“Our completely independent, expert insight can cut through any
potential uncertainty relating to suppliers and lead to enhanced
decision making… and efficiency,” Wikstroem said.
