Gard P&I Club informs of the possibility of unexpected and random inspections in Turkish ports, focusing particularly on discrepancies between declared bunker quantities and actual measurements.
According to Gard, its correspondance, Kalimbassieris Maritime, warned that the authorities will likely confiscate the excess bunkers, requiring their discharge before the vessel’s departure. Additionally, the Master and/or Chief Officer may face criminal charges, including imprisonment and fines.
Vessel operators are advised to ensure all fuel oil quantities are accurately declared and to carefully prepare all relevant documents before arrival in Turkish ports to avoid serious consequences.
Recommendations
Operators and masters of vessels bound for Turkish ports are advised to exercise caution and ensure accuracy when completing the customs declaration. It is crucial that the remaining fuel oil onboard is carefully measured and calculated before being declared to Turkish customs. Furthermore, all relevant crew members should be informed about the issue of undeclared bunkers in Turkish ports and the serious consequences that can result from discrepancies in the figures.
All required documents should be prepared in advance, prior to arriving in port, and double-checked for accuracy. It is essential that all consumables onboard, including bunkers, are correctly listed in the declaration form, with particular attention to the accuracy of the numbers.
In the event that a calculation error results in charges of smuggling petroleum products, the correspondent recommends that the Master and/or Chief Officer clearly state, both verbally and in writing, that the excess bunkers were not intentionally misdeclared.
