Insights
Bunkering guides for owners and operators
Clear, practical guides on buying, receiving and using marine fuel and lube oil, written for superintendents, operators and owners.
What is a bunker stem? The bunkering process explained
A bunker stem is the confirmed order for a specific fuel to be delivered to a specific vessel at a specific port and time. This guide walks through each stage, from first enquiry to final invoice, and who is responsible for what.
Read the guide →VLSFO, HSFO or MGO: how to choose the right marine fuel
The choice between VLSFO, HSFO and MGO is set first by sulphur rules and the ship's equipment, then by trading pattern and cost. This guide sets out the rules, the practical risks of each fuel and the questions to ask before ordering.
Read the guide →Bunker quality: sampling, ISO 8217 and off-spec fuel
Most fuel quality problems cannot be seen at the manifold, so the samples taken during delivery and the specification written into the order are the ship's main protection. This guide covers correct sampling, the ISO 8217 editions, the parameters that matter and the practical steps if a result comes back off-spec.
Read the guide →Bunker quantity checks: how to verify what you receive
Short deliveries are among the most common bunker problems, and most can only be detected while the barge is still alongside. This guide sets out the checks a ship should make before, during and after delivery, and how to record a discrepancy properly.
Read the guide →Sulphur limits and ECAs in 2026: where 0.10% fuel applies
The global sulphur cap is 0.50%, but a growing share of the world's busiest waters now requires 0.10%. This guide lists the emission control areas where 0.10% already applies, those adopted with limits still to come, the main regional rules and the practical steps for a compliant changeover.
Read the guide →EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime: what they mean for bunker costs
Two EU measures now add a carbon cost to every tonne of fuel burnt on voyages to, from and within Europe. This guide explains how the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime work, how they differ, and how to estimate their effect per tonne of fuel.
Read the guide →Choosing cylinder oil BN with VLSFO, HSFO and MGO
Cylinder oil base number has to match the sulphur in the fuel: too little alkalinity and liners corrode, too much and deposits build up. This guide explains the current engine maker guidance, how to set feed rates, and how drain oil analysis tells you whether the balance is right.
Read the guide →Bunker procurement for small fleets: narrowing the price gap
Owners with a handful of ships often pay more for the same fuel than large fleets do, for reasons that have little to do with the fuel itself. This guide explains where the gap comes from and the practical steps that narrow it.
Read the guide →Buy bunkers like a large fleet
Atlas Bunkering pools stems across fleets and passes on the rate we secure. The supplier invoices you directly.