Analysis of Fuel Tank Impact on Cargo Quality: No Evidence of Causal Relationship

As mentioned in our previous email, we believe that the opposite party's request for the ROB documents is to assist in determining the impact of the fuel tank on the cargo. This is due to the fact that the fuel tank needs to be kept warm during use or refueling.

After observing the GA, we have found that the top side tanks of cargo hold No. 6&7 are the fuel tank No. 1 FOT P&S and No. 2 FOT P&S, and there are no fuel tanks around other cargo holds.

Based on the attached ROB records, we can infer that the fuel in No. 1 FOT P&S was consumed during the voyage, and both No. 1 FOT P&S and No. 2 FOT P&S were refilled in Singapore during this voyage. It is possible that the opposite party may further request temperature records of the fuel tanks or even suggest that the cargo was affected.

However, we would like to point out that the receiver has not raised any concerns about the quality of the cargo in the top side of cargo holds No. 6&7 (near the fuel tanks) being worse than the bottom or other cargo holds. On the contrary, the receiver only claimed that the cargo in cargo hold No. 4 was worse than others. Moreover, from our on-site inspection, we only found abnormal discoloration in cargo holds No. 2, 4, and 5. Furthermore, the recorded temperature of the fuel tanks in the attached ROB documents is still lower than the temperature of the cargo. Therefore, we believe it is difficult to establish a causal relationship between the alleged cargo damage and the fuel tank.

Unless there are clear regulations on the use and warming of the fuel tank in the voyage instructions or charter party, we have not found any adverse factors for the shipowner in providing the attached documents to the opposite party.