Definitions #
Fuel used by a ship's engines, typically heavy fuel oil or marine diesel, which is stored in tanks on board the vessel.
Technical The fuel oil consumed by marine propulsion and auxiliary machinery, often high-sulphur or low-sulphur HFO/ MDO, supplied in port or at sea, and accounted for in voyage estimates.
Example The owner requested full bunker tanks before departing for Singapore.
Etymology #
Possibly from the 19th-century nautical term for a bin or tank, extended to mean the fuel itself and the act of fueling a vessel.
Collocations #
- bunker fuel 轮船用燃油
- bunker survey 燃油量测量/检查
- bunker adjustment factor (BAF) 船公司燃油附加费
Real Business Examples #
- The charterer ordered the master to take bunkers at the last port of call.
- The bulk carrier consumed 24 metric tons of bunker fuel daily at sea.
Register & Variants #
- Register: neutral
- BrE/AmE: 全球通用
Synonyms & Antonyms #
- Synonyms: fuel oil, marine fuel, ship fuel
- Antonyms: shore power（非燃油动力）
Common Errors #
- Using 'bunker' as a verb for fueling without specifying port or type Use 'bunkering' for the act, and specify the grade, e.g., 'bunker with VLSFO at Rotterdam.'
Confusable Terms #
- shore power vs Bunker
- Shore power is electricity from the grid supplied to a ship in port, not fuel; it reduces emissions but requires port infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common bunker types??
Typically HFO (heavy fuel oil) and MDO (marine diesel oil), but the trend is toward low-sulphur or alternative fuels.
Who orders bunkers??
Usually the owner or charterer as per the charter party; the master confirms the quantity and quality on board.
Published: 2026-09-26 Category: Shipping