Cargo Surveys

Typically, a cargo surveyor is appointed by the owner of the cargo to survey and report on its condition and the way it is loaded or unloaded. A cargo surveyor should have good knowledge of the characteristics of different types of cargoes, as well as the stowage and techniques of securing these onboard a vessel.

Tally

Usually, the only way to determine quantity of goods is tally of cargo while discharging or loading. We have staff who performs professional tally of all types of cargo. In the process of tally we provide our principals (chief officer of vessel, supercargo, agent) with daily reports, which contain quantitative data, weight, and brief qualitative description of the cargo.

Steel products

Structural sections, beams, profiles, channels, angles/bulbs, plates, hot rolled steel in coils or bundles, cold rolled steel coils, packs or bundles, coils of bar and wire rods, flat bars, merchant bars and grousers, track products, pipes (coated and bare), sheet piling.

Vessel owners have an obligation to deliver cargo in the same condition as when it was loaded. However, with finished steel products being susceptible to physical damage and rusting during their passage through the supply chain, it is vital to establish the cargo’s apparent condition immediately prior to loading/discharging. This ensures that Mate’s receipts and bills of lading are appropriately caused and that pre-existing damage is identified and not later claimed against the vessel. Indeed, with even relatively minor steel product damage leading to extensive claims, it is essential that carriers contract independent and accurate surveyors to perform a pre-load inspection if the condition of the cargo at the time it comes into their care is to be fully and accurately determined.

Containerized cargo

With containerized shipping and intermodal transportation, cargoes are no longer confined to shipping in harbours. Therefore, cargoes and containers need to meet all international regulatory requirements for safety. Our cargo surveys can help customers prevent cargo shortages, cargo contamination, and demurrage claims to ensure all cargoes and containers remain compliant with global industry standards and regulations. There’s more to container and cargo inspection than just counting sides and ends. Our dedicated team of surveyors will conduct detailed investigations to ensure that cargo is properly packed and determine the root cause of damage, if any.

Break bulk and project cargo (outturn) surveys

Outturn survey.

Establish the condition and any damages or cargo shifting that may have occurred during the voyage to break-bulk cargo, particularly steel, upon vessels arrival at the discharge port. This survey often requires Silver Nitrate testing for chloride residues, to establish a possible salt water contamination. The survey can be carried out during discharge operations to ascertain if any damages have occurred either before, after or during discharge. Ascertain the safe and appropriate storage of the cargo.

Pre-shipment survey

Report on the condition or particular aspects of a cargo or the condition of the ship or both, prior to the cargo being loaded.

Load survey

Inspection of vessels holds and hatch covers, ascertain cargo condition at last point of rest noting storage, stowage, packing and marking, cargo handling from last point of rest to alongside the vessel, during loading operations take note of loading method, cargo handling on board, stowage, lashing and securing of cargo.

Discharge survey

Ascertain cargo condition on board the vessel at hatch covers opening noting stowage and securing, during discharge operations take note of the cargo handling on board, discharge method, cargo condition alongside the vessel, cargo handling alongside the vessel, cargo handling from alongside the vessel to storage area, storage, stowage, packing, marking and cargo condition at last point of rest

Loading and discharge supervision

CMIBV’s loading and discharge supervision services help to protect the safety, integrity and quality of your products throughout the supply chain. Our inspectors can be in full time attendance at every operational stage to provide loading supervision and discharge supervision, ensuring you receive a constant and direct flow of information.

Sampling dry and wet cargoes according industry standards

Sampling of cargoes appropriately and comprehensively can prevent spurious claims or limit claims to realistic levels. In some instances, for example Group A cargoes, proper sampling is critical for ship and crew safety. Sampling is a time-consuming and exhausting undertaking and marine industry operatives should be aware of the eff orts involved and adequately prepare for this. All parties in the marine industry should be aware of the responsibility of creating statistically valid samples and relevant parties should be willing to demonstrate their veracity with supporting evidence.

Pre shipment inspections

Pre-shipment inspection ensures that production complies with specifications of the buyer and/or the terms of a purchase order or letter of credit. This inspection is conducted on finished products when at least 80% of the order has been packed for shipping. This inspection is done according to standard Acceptable Quality Limits (AQL) specs for the product, or based upon customer requirements. Samples are selected and inspected for defects at random, according to these standards and procedures. A Pre-shipment Inspection is the inspection performed when goods are 100% completed, packed and ready for shipment. If necessary our inspectors select random samples from finished goods according to the international statistical standard known as MIL-STD-105E (ISO2859-1). The PSI confirms that finished products are in full compliance with your specifications.

Stowage/stowing inspections

The CSS Code applies to cargoes carried onboard ships (other than solid and liquid bulk cargoes and timber stowed on deck) and, in particular to those cargoes whose stowage and securing have proved in practice to create difficulties.

The proper, adequate and satisfactory stowage and securing of items of cargo are of the utmost importance for the safety of the crew, the carrying ship, and the items of cargo themselves. If items of cargo are not stowed and secured in a proper manner, bearing in mind the intended voyage and the time of year, those items of cargo might shift from their stowage position, and damage might be sustained by the item of cargo or the ship, or ship’s staff might suffer injury.

Stock(pile) and warehouse inspections

Assess and act upon the risk of contamination.
How different products are stored.
Whether mutual distances and/or segregation measures are appropriate.
Any dangerous materials that could affect your cargo.