Fuel measurement in tanker-truck cisterns
How integration partner Starcom Systems halved fuel-drain volumes and cut cargo-transport insurance costs by 60% across a 1,000-strong tanker fleet.
Starcom Systems
Starcom Systems delivers telematics across road transport, sea and rail container shipping, perishable goods, farming, healthcare and banking.
- 150 distributors
- 50+ countries of operation
- 15+ years in telematics
The end customer is a shipping company running over 1,000 tanker trucks of various designs — and the same compartment may carry diesel, gasoline or kerosene on different days.
Fuel theft from multi-compartment tankers
Some drivers steal high-quality fuel and top up the tank with cheaper or illegal liquids to hide the theft — causing direct losses and reputational risk, and pushing insurance premiums so high they undermine the profitability of transport.
Tank monitoring notifies the fleet manager of drains and fuel-type changes in real time, enabling prompt detection — and insurers are willing to drop premiums several-fold for monitored vehicles.
DUT-E 2Bio in every compartment
The DUT-E 2Bio differential sensor measures fuel volume accurately regardless of fuel type — even gasoline in place of diesel stays within 1% with no re-calibration. A change in fuel type or quality is reported to the tracker, which alerts the manager by email or SMS. A sensor sits in each compartment, with probe length adjusted in minutes during installation.
All sensors and the Helios Advance tracker form a single S6 network with one power and configuration point, so the fleet sees total volume plus level, volume and temperature per compartment.
2,200 sensors were mounted over a short period, with low installation costs thanks to S6 Technology. Fuel-drain volume was cut by more than half, illegal fuel changes were eliminated, and cargo-transport insurance costs fell by 60%. The fleet owner continues equipping all new tankers with the system.
Task → Solution → Result
Fuel theft from multi-compartment tankers
Drivers steal fuel by draining or substituting with cheaper liquids. Insurance costs are extremely high for unmonitored tanker fleets.
DUT-E 2Bio in every compartment
Differential sensors detect fuel type changes and drain events in each compartment. All connected via S6 Technology to Helios Advance trackers.
60% insurance cost reduction
Fuel drain volume cut by more than half, illegal fuel changes eliminated. 2,200 sensors deployed and fleet expanding.
Starcom Systems highly valued the DUT-E 2Bio for its exceptional features, notably its precise fuel level measurement for various fuel types with an accuracy of no more than 1%. The sensor's adjustable probe length simplifies installation, eliminating the need to measure cistern compartment heights in advance and saving time during setup.
Isaac Maina · Regional Manager, Starcom Systems
Want product info and guidance from our experts?
Tell us about your fleet and we'll recommend the right measurement setup.