Introduction — Why Most Buyers Have No Idea How Long a Real EN590 FOB/TTT Deal Takes

In 2025, 90% of buyers and intermediaries have incorrect expectations about timelines for EN590 or Jet A1 transactions.

Many believe:

• “A real seller should give POP in 24 hours”

• “DIP test is immediate”

• “SPA + injection = same week”

• “TTT can be done in 5 days”

These expectations are unrealistic and reveal inexperience to real sellers and terminals.

A legitimate FOB or TTT (Tank-to-Tank Transfer) transaction follows strict:

• Compliance timelines

• Terminal availability

• SGS/Intertek protocols

• Banking procedures (MT799/MT103)

• Internal refinery workflows

The goal of this article:

• Provide the true institutional timeline

• Clarify each step from ICPO to Injection

• Explain why delays happen

• Help buyers understand realistic execution windows

• Teach intermediaries to manage expectations

• Position NNRV as an institutional coordinator able to streamline the process

SECTION 1 — Understanding the Real Context

1.1 Why Timelines in Oil Trading Are Often Misunderstood

Most buyers operate based on WhatsApp rumors or fake offers from brokers promising:

• “48h DIP test”

• “POP same day”

• “Immediate injection”

• “SPA in 24h”

Real terminals (Vopak, Oiltanking, VTTI, Koole) work with:

• Scheduling queues

• Priority rules

• Safety inspections

• Gate pass issuance

• Vessel/tank alignment windows

• Strict anti-fraud measures

Therefore, real EN590/Jet A1 deals take 10–30 days, sometimes more depending on:

• Terminal congestion

• Vessel slot availability

• Tank scheduling

• Refinery production cycles

• Banking compliance

1.2 TTT vs. FOB Timeline Differences

This article focuses on FOB & TTT, the most common in Rotterdam, Houston, Fujairah, and Singapore.

SECTION 2 — Full Timeline Explained (ICPO → Injection)

DAY 1–3: ICPO Stage

Buyer submits ICPO including:

• Full corporate details

• Buyer procedure acceptance

• Tank details (TTT)

• POF/RWA capability

Seller verifies:

• Buyer legitimacy

• Financial capability

• Tank authenticity

• Mandate chain

Realistic duration: 1–3 days

DAY 3–7: SCO + NCNDA/IMFPA

Seller issues SCO.
Intermediaries sign:

• NCNDA

• IMFPA (commission structure)

Buyer countersigns SCO.

Why it takes time:

• Commission alignment

• Chain cleaning

• Signature verification

• Corporate compliance

Realistic duration: 2–4 days

DAY 5–12: SPA Negotiation & Signature

Seller issues SPA.
Buyer requests revisions (if allowed).
Final SPA signed by both parties.

Why it takes time:

• Legal review

• Compliance check

• Verification of titles

• SPA alignment with procedure

Realistic duration: 3–7 days

DAY 7–14: Partial POP Release

Seller typically releases partial POP, including:

• Product passport

• Q&Q (latest)

• TSR (redacted)

• Injection report

• Authorization to Verify (ATV/CPA)

No real seller provides full POP before tank validation or SPA signature.

Realistic duration: 2–5 days

DAY 10–16: DTA (Dip Test Authorization)

For TTT:

• Seller issues DTA

• Terminal authorizes buyer for SGS/Intertek access

• Buyer schedules inspector visit

• Terminal issues gate pass

Realistic duration: 3–6 days

For FOB:

• Buyer issues vessel nomination

• Marine agent coordinates with terminal

• ETD (Estimated Time of Departure) scheduled

Realistic duration: 5–10 days

DAY 14–20: DIP Test / Q&Q Inspection

SGS/Intertek/Saybolt performs:

• Density test

• Flash point

• Sulfur level

• Water contamination

• Temperature

• Purity level

This is mandatory before:

• TTT

• FOB loading

• Title transfer

Realistic duration: 1–3 days depending on terminal scheduling.

DAY 15–25: CI (Commercial Invoice) + MT103 Payment

After successful DIP test or pre-loading confirmation:

• Seller issues Commercial Invoice

• Buyer executes MT103

• Seller verifies receipt

• Terminal receives instruction to proceed

Realistic duration: 1–2 days

DAY 18–30: Injection (TTT) or Loading (FOB)

For TTT (Tank-to-Tank):

• Seller issues tank release order

• Terminal transfers fuel to buyer’s tank

• Q&Q after injection (optional)

• Title transfer issued

For FOB:

• Vessel docked

• Loading operations

• Marine Q&Q

• Bill of Lading issued

• Title transfer

Realistic duration:

• TTT: 2–5 days

• FOB: 5–10 days depending on vessel slot availability

SECTION 3 — NNRV Expert Analysis: Why Timelines Stretch

3.1 Main Reasons for Delays

1. Terminal congestion

2. Tank unavailability

3. Vessel scheduling

4. SGS backlog

5. Compliance review delays

6. Incorrect buyer documentation

7. Bank compliance issues (AML/POF)

8. Too many intermediaries

9. Wrong POP expectations

10. Counterparty inexperience

3.2 The “Red Flags” That Indicate Fake Timelines

If a seller promises:

• “POP in 24h”

• “DIP test tomorrow”

• “Same week injection”

• “No SPA needed”

• “Full POP before ICPO”

→ 100% fake or inexperienced.

3.3 Institutional vs. Non-Institutional Timelines

SECTION 4 — Full Step-by-Step Summary Timeline

TTT TIMELINE (Rotterdam/Houston/Fujairah)

Total: 15–30 days

FOB TIMELINE (Rotterdam / Houston / Fujairah / Jurong)

Total: 20–40 days

SECTION 5 — Buyers’ & Sellers’ Questions (20 Total)

10 Buyer Questions

1. Can I get full POP before SPA? (No.)

2. When do I get tank coordinates?

3. What if DIP fails?

4. Why does DTA take days?

5. Why does SGS scheduling delay deals?

6. Can I speed up the process?

7. Why do terminals reject some tanks?

8. Can a real seller load without SPA? (Impossible.)

9. Can TTT be faster than 10 days? (Rare.)

10. Why is vessel nomination slow?

10 Seller Questions

1. What if buyer tank is not valid?

2. When can I issue full POP?

3. Should buyers push for early POP? (No.)

4. What if buyer delays KYC?

5. Why must SPA align with terminal rules?

6. How to avoid fake buyers?

7. Should I accept buyer’s procedure?

8. When to issue CI?

9. When to allow DIP test?

10. When does title transfer?

SECTION 6 — Proof of Institutional Timelines

These timelines reflect the real procedures used by:

• Vitol

• Trafigura

• Glencore

• Gunvor

• Mercuria

• Shell Trading

• TotalEnergies Trading

And terminals:

• Vopak Rotterdam

• Oiltanking Houston

• VTTI Singapore

• Koole Terminals

Everything aligns with:

✔ SGS / Intertek / Saybolt
✔ Port authority rules
✔ Basel III banking timelines
✔ Normal refinery allocation workflows

SECTION 7 — Professional Call to Action (CTA)

📌 Need a Realistic Timeline Assessment for Your Deal?

NNRV Trade Partners provides:

• Full timeline audit

• Counterparty verification

• Tank validation

• POP analysis

• SPA timeline structuring

• DIP test coordination

• End-to-end FOB/TTT execution support

📩 Send your ICPO/KYC to:
info@nnrvtradepartners.com

🌐 www.nnrvtradepartners.com

Mini FAQ (5 Questions)

1. Can a real TTT happen in 5 days?
   Not in 2025. Impossible.

2. Why do fake sellers promise fast POP?
   To lure inexperienced buyers.

3. Can NNRV speed up SGS?
   Yes — through institutional scheduling.

4. Are these timelines globally standard?
   Yes, across EU/US/Asia terminals.

5. What if I need priority loading?
   Possible depending on terminal relationship.

Why Choose NNRV Trade Partners?

• Institutional-grade execution

• Global refinery/allocation access

• Direct terminal coordination

• Zero-fraud compliance filtering

• Full control of SPA, POP, DTA, DIP test

• Transparent timeline management

• Trusted by serious buyers & sellers