Physical and Commercial Risks of Petroleum Logistics

Here is a partial list of potential petroleum logistics events listed in order of decreasing severity (for the Owner).  Items in red are often reported or recorded in the news and maritime casualty databases.  Those in purple are sometimes reported and/or recorded.  Those in black are rarely reported or recorded in any database available for public review:

  • Crew fatality (single individual)
  • Crew injury (lost-time accident - LTA)
  • Sinking of vessel
  • Explosion on the vessel
  • Fire on board the vessel
  • Oil spill or other pollution incident
  • Grounding of the vessel
  • Collision with another vessel
  • General Average Declaration
  • Weather damage
  • Cargo contamination
  • Damage to docks, facilities, property or navigation aids
  • Piracy or terrorist attack
  • Cargo loss (partial)
  • Detention (by Authorities)
  • Commercial detention
  • Arrest of the vessel by Authorities
  • Oil Major vetting rejection of the vessel
  • Mechanical breakdown of vessel propulsion or equipment
  • Arrest of the Vessel - Civil
  • Arrest of the Vessel's bunkers
  • Deadfreight
  • Demurrage
  • Eviction by terminal
  • Banning from port (by authorities of commercial operator)
  • Smuggling contraband or persons
  • Late delivery of the cargo at the discharge port (missed cargo window)
  • Late arrival of the vessel at the loading port (missing laydays)
  • Rejection of vessel for loading - by inspectors or authorities
  • Slow loading or slow pumping off by the vessel
  • New vessel owner/manager failing to follow "custom of the trade"
  • Inherent vice of the cargo
  • Independent petroleum inspector errors or omissions
  • Strike by port or terminal staff, officials, crew, tugs, line handlers
  • Port agent errors or omissions
  • Port official delays or abuse of authority
  • Vessel failure to send required notices or arrival (causing delays or fines)
  • Expiration of required certificates
  • Withdrawal of vessel's class certificate(s)
  • Demand by Master for production of original BOL prior to discharge cargo
  • Declaration of Force Majeure by the terminal, port or cargo supplier
  • Litigation document discovery