Pumping warranty
Meaning
A pumping warranty is the owner's promise that the ship can discharge its full cargo within a set time or maintain a set pressure at the manifold.
Also written as Pumping clause, Pumping performance
Pumping warranty explained
Tanker charters commonly warrant that the ship will discharge within 24 hours, or maintain around 100 psi at the ship's rail, provided the shore can receive. If the ship pumps slower, the excess time is deducted from laytime or demurrage.
Proving pumping performance needs hourly pumping logs and pressure records, and these are among the documents demurrage claims require.
Watch out for
Shore restrictions such as a terminal limiting the rate or back-pressure excuse the ship, but only if they are documented in letters of protest.
Related terms
Laytime
Laytime is the time the charterer is allowed, without paying extra, to load and discharge the cargo under a voyage charter.
Demurrage
Demurrage is the agreed daily amount the charterer pays the owner for every day the ship is kept in port beyond the laytime allowed.
Crude oil washing
Crude oil washing (COW) cleans a crude tanker's cargo tanks during discharge by spraying them with the cargo itself to dislodge residues.
Letter of protest
A letter of protest (LOP) is a formal written complaint from the master or terminal recording a problem, such as slow pumping or a cargo discrepancy.