Marine Cargo Surveys
Independent assessment of cargo condition, quantity, and stowage before, during, and after transit.
Overview
Comprehensive Marine Cargo Surveys You Can Trust
SIMS delivers independent, third-party verification of cargo condition, quantity, and stowage across bulk, breakbulk, project, and containerized shipments. Our surveyors are on call to attend loading and discharge operations at short notice, giving shipowners, charterers, and cargo interests an objective record of what was shipped, how it was handled, and the state it arrived in.
Every survey is conducted against the relevant charter party terms, letter of credit requirements, and international cargo-handling guidelines, with findings backed by time-stamped photographic evidence and, where required, independent sampling and laboratory testing. The result is a defensible report that stands up to commercial negotiation and, if necessary, legal scrutiny.
Service Benefits
- Independent, unbiased cargo condition reporting
- Reduced risk of cargo disputes and claims
- Faster claims resolution with defensible documentation
- Compliance with international shipping standards
- Experienced surveyors across all cargo types
- 24/7 availability for time-sensitive shipments
Our Inspection Procedure
- 1
Pre-Survey Planning
Review of shipping documents, cargo manifests, and voyage details to scope the survey.
- 2
On-Site Inspection
Physical inspection of cargo condition, quantity verification, and stowage/securing assessment.
- 3
Sampling & Testing
Where applicable, representative sampling and laboratory testing to verify cargo quality.
- 4
Documentation
Detailed photographic and written evidence gathered to support the survey findings.
- 5
Reporting
Delivery of a clear, comprehensive survey report within agreed turnaround times.
Industries Served
What We Cover
The Main Types of Cargo Surveys
In marine surveying, cargo surveys cover inspections and investigations relating to the quantity, quality, condition, handling, loading, discharge, storage and damage of cargo. These are the main types SIMS attends.
Determines the apparent condition of cargo at loading, discharge, or delivery.
Typical observations:
- Wetness or water damage
- Rust or corrosion
Establishes the facts behind reported damage to cargo.
The surveyor establishes:
- Nature and extent of damage
- Probable cause
- When and where the damage may have occurred
- Whether damage is consistent with the reported circumstances
- Salvageability and possible mitigation
Common for P&I Clubs, cargo insurers, shipowners and receivers.
Monitors cargo operations during loading onto a vessel.
The surveyor may verify:
- Cargo condition
- Holds and readiness
- Loading sequence
- Cargo distribution
- Stowage
- Segregation
- Weather precautions
- Quantity loaded
- Compliance with instructions
Monitors cargo during discharge from the vessel.
Particularly important where there are:
- Shortage claims
- Damage claims
- Wet cargo
- Contamination
- Stevedore damage
- Disputes between vessel and receivers
Involves counting individual cargo units during loading and discharge.
Used for:
- Containers
- Bags
- Steel coils
- Vehicles
- Machinery
- Breakbulk and project cargo
- General cargo
Conducted before cargo is shipped to determine whether it is fit to travel.
The surveyor confirms the cargo is:
- Properly manufactured or prepared
- Suitable for shipment
- Properly packed
- Properly marked
- Free from apparent damage
- Correct in quantity
Often requested by buyers, sellers, banks, insurers and trading companies.
Involves taking representative samples for laboratory or onboard testing.
Common with:
- Grain
- Minerals
- Coal
- Cement
- Chemicals
- Petroleum products
The surveyor ensures proper sampling procedures, identification and chain of custody.
Records and verifies the sealing of containers and compartments, confirming seal numbers and condition at stuffing and again on arrival, against the shipping documents.
Determines whether cargo complies with specified quality parameters or contractual specifications.
For example:
- Moisture
- Purity
- Grade
- Temperature
- Density
- Chemical composition
- Grain quality
Very common in marine cargo claims. The surveyor determines the extent and probable source of water ingress or moisture damage.
Sources examined include:
- Rainwater
- Seawater
- Condensation or sweat
- Freshwater
- Leakage from the ship's systems
- Improper storage
For example, wet-damaged cement may require chloride testing and other examinations.
Assesses whether cargo spaces are suitable for receiving cargo.
The surveyor examines:
- Cleanliness
- Dryness
- Odour
- Previous cargo residues
- Bilges
- Tank tops
- Bulkheads
- Hatch covers
- Coamings
Acting as local correspondent for Protection & Indemnity clubs — attending on the club's behalf, gathering and preserving evidence, and liaising with local parties on cargo and liability matters.
Determines the quantity and condition of cargo stored ashore before shipment.
Common for:
- Coal
- Bauxite
- Iron ore
- Minerals
- Aggregates
- Grain
May involve stockpile measurement, sampling and moisture-content determination.
Determines the quantity and condition of cargo received at destination and compares it with the shipping and loading figures.
Particularly useful for investigating shortage and damage claims.
An investigation undertaken following a claim.
Instructed by:
- Receivers
- Shippers
- Consignees
- Shipowners
- Charterers
- Cargo insurers
- P&I Clubs
The surveyor documents the facts and provides an independent assessment of the circumstances and apparent cause.
Used for large, heavy or high-value cargo, covering loading, securing, transportation, discharge and delivery.
Typical cargoes:
- Transformers
- Generators
- Cranes
- Oilfield equipment
- Construction machinery
- Wind-turbine components
Verifies that cargo has been adequately secured for the intended voyage.
This includes examination of:
- Lashings
- Chains
- Wire ropes
- Turnbuckles
- Dunnage
- Chocks
- Stoppers
- Securing points
- Lashing angles and arrangements