Introduction — Why Tank Verification Is the New Battlefield in Crude Oil Trading

Rotterdam and Fujairah are the two most strategic crude oil storage hubs:

• Rotterdam → Europe’s largest oil port (ARA region)

• Fujairah → One of the top 3 global bunkering & oil storage hubs

Because these terminals handle massive volumes of Crude Oil, EN590, Jet A1, D6, LNG, they are heavily regulated.
However, fraudsters exploit the fact that buyers do not know how terminals operate, especially when it comes to:

• verifying crude availability

• confirming tank ownership

• checking TSA authenticity

• confirming batch numbers

• validating injection history

• detecting fake POP documents

This article explains the 7 only institutional, bank-level, refinery-level methods to verify if a tank is real, if the crude exists, and if a seller truly controls the product.

SECTION 1 — Market Context: Why Tank Verification Is Critical in 2025

1.1 The real reason 90% of “tank offers” are fake

Because most traders and sellers:

• do NOT have a TSA

• do NOT control loading windows

• do NOT have legal authorization inside the terminal

• cannot issue real DTA/UDTA

• do not have batch numbers

• do not control pipeline injections

Instead, they forward:

❌ edited PDFs
❌ recycled paperwork
❌ fake SGS reports
❌ fake “terminal confirmations”
❌ copy/paste TSA documents

For Rotterdam (Vopak/Eurotank/Botlek) and Fujairah (VTTI/Horizon/ENOC), tank access is institutionally regulated and extremely difficult to fake once you know what to check.

SECTION 2 — The 7 Institutional Methods to Verify a Crude Oil Tank

These methods are used by:

• refineries

• international oil companies

• major traders (Vitol, Trafigura, Glencore, Gunvor)

• banks

• compliance officers

• NNRV verification teams

If your seller fails even one of the following → they do not have the crude.

1️⃣ Method 1 — Terminal Code Verification (TCV)

Every tank in Rotterdam or Fujairah has:

• a Terminal Code

• a Tank ID

• a Location Reference

• a Storage Client Reference

These can be verified directly with the terminal operator.

What must match:

If the terminal cannot match the seller’s company → fake seller.

2️⃣ Method 2 — TSA Validation (Tank Storage Agreement Check)

This is one of the strongest verification methods.

A real TSA must include:

• Contract number

• Tank assignment

• Volume capacity

• Rental period

• Terminal signature

• Lessee’s company name

• Insurance clause

Fake TSA documents:

• miss the contract number

• use generic formatting

• include misspellings

• show no terminal stamp

• contain non-existent tank references

NNRV checks TSA validity directly through institutional methods.

3️⃣ Method 3 — Pipeline Injection Receipt (PIR) Verification

Crude Oil is rarely stored without passing through a pipeline or terminal manifold.

A real Pipeline Injection Receipt includes:

• injection date/time

• batch volume

• crude grade

• origin pipeline

• terminal intake reference

• metering system data

• operator signature

If your seller cannot produce PIR → no crude exists.

4️⃣ Method 4 — SGS/Intertek Pre-Scheduling Validation

A very powerful method.

When buyer intends to inspect:

1. Buyer nominates SGS/Intertek

2. SGS requests authorization from terminal

3. Terminal checks tank & client identity

4. Terminal accepts OR denies inspection request

If SGS is denied access, the seller has no control over the tank.

Fraudulent sellers collapse at this step every time.

5️⃣ Method 5 — Terminal Movement Log (TML) Validation

Every tank farm maintains a real-time movement log:

• ullage updates

• incoming transfers

• outgoing transfers

• temperature

• batch traceability

• cleaning operations

• product rotation

• pumping history

NNRV requests a redacted version to confirm:

• tank is active

• crude is present

• volume exists

• no discrepancies

Fake sellers cannot provide consistent logs.

6️⃣ Method 6 — Vessel Nomination Verification (For TTT/TTV)

For tank-to-tank (TTT) or tank-to-vessel (TTV):

A real seller must be able to release:

• NOR (Notice of Readiness)

• Q88

• Vessel name

• IMO number

• Berth allocation

• Loading window

• Shipping agent contact

A seller without vessel alignment is not a real seller.
TTT/TTV without vessel = 100% fake.

7️⃣ Method 7 — Cross-Verification with Port Authority & Customs

Rotterdam (via Port of Rotterdam Authority) and Fujairah (via FOIZ) maintain:

• tank ownership records

• operator licenses

• customs authorizations

• loading/unloading logs

• tax/excise documentation

NNRV conducts internal cross-verification through:

• port databases

• customs agents

• shipping agents

• authorized terminal contacts

If the seller’s name does NOT appear in the terminal/client registry → end of discussion.

SECTION 3 — NNRV Expert Analysis: The 5 Fastest Red Flags of a Fake Tank

1. Tank number exists but not linked to seller

Most common fraud pattern.

2. DTA/UDTA issued by the seller, not the terminal

Instant scam.

3. No PIR (Pipeline Injection Receipt)

No pipeline movement = no crude.

4. TSA with wrong formatting

Terminals use highly standardized templates.

5. SGS “already done” without buyer’s inspector

Impossible. SGS never reuses old reports.

SECTION 4 — Step-by-Step Verification Timeline (Day 1 → Day 7)

DAY 1 — Seller submits TSA + Tank Coordinates

NNRV begins verification.

DAY 2 — Terminal Code & Tank ID Check

Initial validation.

DAY 3 — PIR & Batch Confirmation

Crude existence verified.

DAY 4 — SGS/Intertek Scheduling Check

Terminal must authorize inspector.

DAY 5 — Movement Log Cross-Check

Ensures crude is inside tank.

DAY 6 — Shipping/Vessel Validation (if applicable)

For TTT/TTV.

DAY 7 — Final Tank Certification Issued to Buyer

NNRV confirms or rejects tank legitimacy.

SECTION 5 — Buyer & Seller Questions (20 Real Answers)

10 Buyer Questions

1. Can seller provide POP before TSA? → No.

2. Is tank sharing possible? → Rare and regulated.

3. Can a DTA appear before KYC? → Impossible.

4. Should I trust a DTA without TSA? → Never.

5. Can I enter the tank farm physically? → No, inspectors only.

6. Does SGS verify tank identity? → Yes.

7. Can tanks be leased by brokers? → No.

8. What if tank number is real but seller is not the client? → Fraud.

9. Can movement logs be faked? → Yes—NNRV checks with terminal.

10. How long does validation take? → 48–72 hours.

10 Seller Questions

1. Must I reveal full TSA? → Redacted version is acceptable.

2. Should I issue DTA myself? → No—terminal must.

3. Do buyers accept digital TSA? → Yes, if verifiable.

4. Is UDTA risky? → Yes—high liability.

5. Can I block SGS? → No—automatic disqualification.

6. Do all terminals provide PIR? → Yes.

7. Can buyer call the terminal? → Not directly; NNRV does.

8. Should tank be full? → At least minimum volume.

9. Does customs track tank volume? → Yes.

10. Can TSA be cancelled? → Yes, unpaid storage = eviction.

SECTION 6 — Why These Verification Methods Exist (Legal Framework)

Rotterdam & Fujairah operate under:

• ISPS Code

• API MPMS

• ISO 8217 petroleum quality protocols

• Customs & Excise Regulations

• SGS/Intertek global inspection standards

• Port Authority governance

• Marine Safety & Pollution Rules (MARPOL, SOLAS)

These frameworks make fraud extremely hard—unless buyers are uninformed.

SECTION 7 — Professional CTA

📌 Need to verify a tank in Rotterdam or Fujairah?

NNRV Trade Partners provides institutional-level validation:

• TSA authenticity verification

• Tank ID & terminal code confirmation

• Pipeline injection receipt verification

• Movement log consistency check

• SGS/Intertek access validation

• Vessel nomination & TTT/TTV compliance

• Full POP & crude identity verification

📩 info@nnrvtradepartners.com
🌐 www.nnrvtradepartners.com

Never trust a tank PDF.
Trust institutional verification.

Mini FAQ (5 Quick Answers)

1. Can I verify a tank in 24 hours?
   Yes—NNRV offers urgent checks.

2. Can fake sellers use real tank numbers?
   Yes, but they cannot pass TSA verification.

3. Does SGS reveal if tank is accessible?
   Yes—if SGS cannot enter, seller is fake.

4. Can TSA be confirmed anonymously?
   Yes, via terminal-client matching.

5. Which ports are easiest to verify?
   Rotterdam, Fujairah, Antwerp, Jurong.