B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Workload; Confusion; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure; Company Policy; Airport
Taxiing into the Safety Zone; we noticed a fuel cart in the Safety Zone that was not marked. It was in the normal position. We asked for the Marshaller to check the distance and be a Wing Walker albeit outside the Safety Zone. Taxi in was uneventful. After shutdown; I went down to check the area. The cart was marked by one very faint '90 degree' mark with pink paint. Both gates (XX and XX) in this airport have recently been resurfaced. All other markings have been painted appropriately but not the space for the fuel cart. I called the Chief Pilot on Call and we discussed the problem. We referred to FOM. This is somewhat ambiguous as to how to handle a fuel cart in the Safety Zone.  It doesn't refer to anything other than obstructions. Apparently in the Ground Ops manual; it refers to the proper marking of these carts. In a previous flight at a different airport; that I can't remember; I have seen a belt loader parked in the zone between a painted yellow line and the boundary line of the Safety Zone. On that occasion; we had the belt loader removed before taxi in. This however brings up a broader issue of what exactly is allowed in the Safety Zone and how they should be marked. Fuel carts are in the Safety Zone at many gates across the system yet they are not referred to in the FOM nor are the appropriate markings.The FOM needs to be updated to be very clear as to what is acceptable in the Safety Zone and what markings are required. Company Station Operations need to be responsible as to the status of proper markings in the gate area and; if non-standard; these items should be communicated to Flight Crews appropriately.
A B737 Captain reported a fuel cart in the Safety Zone not properly marked after ramp resurfacing.