As marine diesel engines became prevalent, the term was carried over to include the liquid fuel tanks. At one time, the lighter fuel oils Bunker A and Bunker B were also available. However, this type of fuel is no longer commonly available. In addition to being used in the majority of large marine diesel engines, bunker oils are used in power generating stations, industrial boilers and furnaces, and pumping plants.
Bunker oil is an inexpensive and readily available source of energy in many parts of the world.
If the oil comes into contact with sediment, sand or other shoreline materials, they may adhere together forming lumps or tar balls. The main threat to surface and shoreline organisms comes from the possibility of coating or smothering. Oil samples from the barge have been analysed at two Environment Canada laboratories to determine their physical and chemical properties. If oil spills during the recovery of the vessel, it will be compared with Irving Whale reference samples using various techniques to determine if the barge was the source of that oil.