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Detailed Understandings from DGS (Engg.) Circular No. 32 of 2025: Biofuel Bunkering Guidelines (India)

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1. The Big Picture

  • Why issued? India is formalising the safe, auditable uptake of biofuels in its ports. Until now, bunkering biofuels was ad-hoc (no uniform national framework).

  • What changes? Suppliers and shipowners now face QMS, certification, sampling, custody, and audit requirements similar to conventional bunkering but tailored to biofuels’ properties (oxidation, water absorption, microbial risks, sustainability traceability).

  • International sync: Aligns with MARPOL, SOLAS, ISO 8217:2024, ISGOTT, EMSA guidance. India is signalling it’s “open for business” for biofuel-ready shipping.

2. Scope & Application

  • Applies to all bunkering in Indian waters (ports, anchorages, offshore facilities).

  • Covers Indian and foreign-flag ships receiving biofuels.

  • Modes covered: Truck-to-ship, shore-to-ship, ship-to-ship.

  • Blends covered: Up to B30 (beyond this, Annex II/IBC Code rules kick in).

👉 Understanding: India is preparing for a progressive scale-up: start with B20/B30, gain confidence, then move toward higher blends (B50/B100) as infrastructure and carriage codes allow.

3. Regulatory & Certification Takeaways

  • Suppliers must be registered with DGS, hold ISO 9001:2015 QMS (NABCB-accredited), and undergo IRS-audited live demos before certification.

  • Certification lifecycle: Interim (6 months) → Full-term (5 years) → Annual surveillance audits.

  • Audit focus: 2 successful ops in interim, hose/material compatibility, safety drills, QRA adherence, custody trails.

👉 Understanding: Suppliers should budget time and money for certification cycles—not just one-time approvals. Documentation discipline will be key.

4. Safety, Equipment & Training

  • Hoses & seals: Must be compatible with biofuels (e.g., Viton/PTFE, not NBR). Tested yearly, renewed at 50% PMS life.

  • Emergency Shutdown (ESD): Mandatory, tested pre-transfer, documented.

  • Training: Flammable liquid handling, spill response, environment protection; ship crew under STCW, truckers under PESO, terminals under BIS standards.

👉 Understanding: Biofuels add new risks—water uptake (microbial growth), oxidation (acidity), and elastomer swelling. Expect more maintenance + more training than conventional fuels.

5. Environmental & Sustainability Layer

  • Proof of Sustainability (ISCC or RSB) mandatory per delivery.

  • Blending offsite only (not on board).

  • Spill prevention & monitoring central: drip trays, continuous monitoring in STS, emergency reporting.

👉 Understanding: This ties bunkering directly to IMO decarbonisation accounting (CII/DCS/EEXI). BDNs now double as emissions evidence for charterers/owners. Wrong paperwork = reputational + compliance risk.

6. Documentation: Non-Negotiables

  • Pre-bunkering pack (24h in advance): QRA, Management Plan, Compatibility Report, NABL COQ, SDS, sustainability proof, insurance, hose certs.

  • BDN: Expanded with blend ratio, density @15 °C, sulphur, flash point, sustainability proof. Retained onboard 3 years.

  • Sampling: Start/mid/end or continuous drip; amber glass/PTFE caps; 3-way split; chain-of-custody.

👉 Understanding: The paper trail is king—a missing COQ or ISCC certificate could invalidate a bunkering, even if technically flawless.

7. Operational Protocols

  • Checklists: Pre-bunkering ≤4 hours, compatibility, SIMOPs control.

  • Parameters: Must agree max pressure/flow/volume before starting.

  • Restrictions: No simultaneous transfer of HFO/DO/lubes with biofuel bunkering. No heat/spark-generating tools in safety zone.

  • First-time fuel use: Controlled trial mandatory.

👉 Understanding: Expect slower, more cautious operations at first—particularly for new fuels (FAME B20 vs HVO B30).

8. Quality Control & Testing

  • Mandatory NABL-accredited COQ as per ISO 8217:2024 (viscosity, density, CFPP, water, acid number, sulphur, flash point).

  • If >6 months old: additional tests—%FAME, copper corrosion, microbial, oxidation stability.

👉 Understanding: This ensures aged stocks don’t slip through. Ports must upgrade labs and logistics to handle extra testing volume.

9. Enforcement

  • Primary authority: DGS, supported by Ports.

  • Penalties: Warnings, fines, detention, suspension/revocation of certificates.

  • Surprise inspections to check fuel quality, crew training, documents.

👉 Understanding: Random checks will raise operating discipline. Suppliers should maintain “audit-readiness” continuously.

10. Practical Lessons & Case-Like Understandings

Example 1: Truck→Ship FAME B20 at Kochi

  • Truck arrives with valid PESO license, hose cert expired → operation halted until compliant.

  • Learning: Suppliers must keep rolling compliance calendars for cert expiries.

Example 2: Shore→Ship HVO B30 at Chennai

  • All documents filed; QRA showed wind ≥20 kts = stop. Ops paused at 22 kts.

  • Learning: Respect QRA triggers; otherwise, insurance cover may fail in case of incident.

Example 3: Ship→Ship B30 at Mumbai anchorage

  • Receiver’s crew not trained on SDS for biofuel → audit NC raised.

  • Learning: Even receivers must train crew on biofuel-specific risks (oxidation stability, microbial growth).

11. Strategic Implications

  • For Indian suppliers: Opportunity to become regional hubs (HVO/FAME bunkering at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi).

  • For shipowners: Early adopters gain CII/DCS credit + ESG branding.

  • For ports: Investment in recirculation tanks, NABL labs, spill control will be mandatory.

  • For regulators: Need capacity to manage audit backlog, surprise inspections, and disputes.

✅ In one line: This circular transforms biofuel bunkering in India from a trial-and-error activity into a fully regulated, certifiable, and globally aligned operation—with strict safety, sustainability, and documentation guardrails.


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