Speed & Consumption Disputes at Sea: How Vals Bunker Surveyors Deliver Clarity and Confidence, Inside the forensic approach to resolving performance disputes in operations.
The Hidden Variables Behind Vessel Performance
A vessel’s operational performance is shaped by two major groups of factors:
- External conditions such as weather, sea state, and currents
- Vessel-specific elements including loading condition, hull and propeller cleanliness, and engine efficiency
Together, these variables determine a ship’s speed and fuel consumption—core metrics that influence the profitability of a voyage and the financial balance between shipowners and charterers.
In today’s competitive and fuel-sensitive shipping environment, these performance indicators are not just technical—they are contractual and commercial. Disputes over speed and consumption can lead to significant financial consequences, especially when discrepancies arise between expected and actual fuel use or voyage duration.
The Role of Technical Expertise in Dispute Resolution
When disagreements emerge—particularly in time charter scenarios—the need for independent, technically sound analysis becomes critical. This is where Vals Bunker Surveyors (VBS), led by Batur Alp Alkan, brings deep value to the table.
Vals Bunker Surveyors specializes in forensic investigations that determine whether a vessel has performed within the terms of its charter party agreement. Their approach is grounded in objective analysis, transparency, and data integrity—factors essential for delivering defensible results in commercial negotiations or legal proceedings.
A Forensic, Evidence-Based Approach to Performance Analysis
Every speed and consumption investigation conducted by VBS is rooted in primary data and contractual context. Their team meticulously examines a range of key sources, including:
- Deck and engine logbooks
- Voyage abstracts
- Noon reports
- Charter party agreements
- Contemporary operational communications
The analysis is anchored to good weather conditions, as defined in the governing charter party. By isolating voyages or legs where these conditions apply, VBS calculates:
- Time lost or gained
- Fuel over- or under-consumed
- Deviations in speed or consumption trends
The outcome is a clear, data-supported performance picture, enabling clients to make informed commercial decisions or prepare for arbitration, if necessary.
Cross-Sector Experience: From Cargo Ships to VLCCs
Vals Bunker Surveyors brings hands-on experience across a wide range of vessel types and operational scenarios. Their portfolio includes investigations for:
- General cargo vessels
- Container ships
- Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and other tanker classes
- Dry bulk carriers, from Handymax to Capesize
This breadth allows VBS to tailor their analytical framework to each vessel type’s operational and technical characteristics—whether it’s bunker consumption curves, engine configuration, or cargo-related impacts.
In addition, the VBS team is often engaged to:
- Evaluate routing company performance reports
- Audit data integrity and analytical methods used by third-party performance monitoring systems
- Offer independent technical opinions in pre-arbitration or litigation contexts
A Trusted Voice in Complex Maritime Claims
With decades of combined operational, navigational, and engineering experience, Vals Bunker Surveyors stands out as a trusted, independent partner in high-stakes performance disputes.
Their work is not only about numbers—it’s about clarity, credibility, and contractual alignment. Whether acting on behalf of shipowners, charterers, ship managers, or builders, VBS ensures that performance assessments are grounded in fact and framed to withstand commercial and legal scrutiny.
Why It Matters for the Bunkering and Maritime Sectors
Speed and consumption disputes are increasingly linked to fuel quantity claims, carbon intensity indicators (CII), and compliance with time charter performance warranties. For bunker suppliers, charterers, and fleet managers, understanding true vessel performance is no longer optional—it’s operationally and financially critical.
As the shipping industry continues to evolve under stricter regulatory frameworks and rising fuel costs, the need for independent, data-driven analysis has never been more important.
About Vals Bunker Surveyors
Vals Bunker Surveyors (VBS) is a maritime consultancy specializing in technical investigations, performance assessments, and dispute resolution in global shipping. Led by Batur Alp Alkan, the firm combines forensic methodology with deep industry insight to provide clear, defensible conclusions in complex speed and consumption cases.
Whether resolving a charter party dispute or validating operational performance, Vals Bunker Surveyors offers the maritime industry a clear lens into vessel behavior at sea—backed by data, experience, and technical precision. In a sector where performance affects every ton of bunker and every hour of voyage time, their work helps ensure transparency, accountability, and fair commercial outcomes.
Source: Vals Bunker Surveyors