Walter Dekkers is a seasoned marine engineer and bunker quality dispute specialist with more than three decades at Van Ameyde Marine. He joined the company in 1990 as a Marine Surveyor and went on to serve as Managing Director from 2006 to 2024. Walter holds a Chief Engineer’s license and has 7 years of sea-going experience, sailing on a wide range of vessels including heavy-lift ships.

His experience spans technical and cargo surveys, P&I entry and condition surveys, pre-purchase inspections, and risk management work. He is trained as an ISM Lead Auditor, an approved 360 Quality Inspector and a graduate of the Cambridge Reefer course, complemented by multiple tanker-specific qualifications. Walter is a member of IBIA (International Bunker Industry Associate), an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute, a registered UNUM arbiter and a registered judicial expert with the LRGD.

With a strong engineering background, Walter developed deep practical knowledge of onboard fuel treatment and diesel engine maintenance. Over his 30 years at Van Ameyde Marine, he has become a recognised specialist in bunker quality disputes, acting on behalf of P&I Clubs, law firms and shipowners. His work includes onboard investigations, technical consultancy and witnessing laboratory fuel analysis. He has delivered numerous lectures and training sessions on fuel quality issues at industry events and conferences.

In the past five years alone, Walter has handled more than 300 bunker quality dispute cases. He has acted as a (Technical) Arbitrator, under a three Arbitrators Tribunal, in several bunker disputes, involving engine damage (UNUM: Dutch Arbitration) as well as expert witness in Arbitration cases. He has also handled several major casualties, including court cases, and has acted as an expert witness.