Letter of protest

At times dispute or deviation may occur when taking bunkers, loading/discharging cargo. The most common protest from an engineer's perspective is related to bunkers although one can be written for almost any other matter.

• It is a recorded written communication expressing dissatisfaction on the part of the one-party concerning any disputes, holding the other party responsible strictly speaking LOP is not a legal document but a paper containing the account of facts.
• This may help substantiate a claim and may prove to be useful if properly filled when trying to resolve the dispute later on. 
• Bear in mind to keep it as brief and as clear as possible and not to express any option whatsoever.
• Be sure to make all appropriate entries in the ship's logbook.

Various disputes leading to LOP-(bunkering)

• Difference in ships/barge figures for the quantity supplied
• Delay in supply bunker 
• Slow pumping rates
• Refuse in witnessing samples taken onboard
• supply off-spec bunkers
• Delay for connecting hoses
• No authentic calibration table for bunkers
• Water in barge/shore tank before commencing
• Fouled mooring ropes
• Not complying with Singapore bunkering procedure

Example of LOP

Port:xyz, Voyage No.:ABC

Supplier: XYZ ,Date: xx/xx/xxxx
To: Xyz

From:xyz
Ship:Xyz,

Re: Difference in quantity supplied/received
Dear Sir,

On behalf of my Owners, I hereby note protest due to the difference in the supplied/received bunker figure.

Bunkers supplied: MT
Ship’ figure: MT
Difference: MT 

I, therefore, reserve the rights of my Owners and Charterers to refer to this matter at some later date and take any actions, or make any claims, as they may deem necessary.

Yours faithfully,
XYZ