Pre Shipment Inspection

 

SAM’s Marine Survey carries out Pre-Shipment inspections of goods on behalf of National and Overseas Clients. The purpose of this is primarily to verify that the goods conform to contractual specification, are packed according to required method and are marked with necessary markings for the export. This also assures correctness to the agreed quality and quantity, and is conducted in most cases prior to shipment, and in the country of exportation.

 Inspection of cargo or the compartment where it will be stowed before loading. Ship owners and charterers sometimes call for a survey to be carried out at a shipper's premises so as to gain a better understanding of some unusual commodity offered for shipment.

 

Occasionally surveyors may be called upon by shippers to advice on packaging and handling where shippers are unfamiliar with a new trade.

But the most usual situation is for a surveyor to be retained for this purpose by the shippers' underwriters. P&I Clubs often call for pre-shipment inspection for cargoes that commonly give rise to claims on ship-owners. Steel is commodity which presents problems with regard to rust and care is needed in making sure that bills of lading are appropriately claused.

Pre shipment inspection is also known as Pre-loading survey.

After completion of the survey we give suitable descriptive clauses relating to any visible damages of goods, physical defects, structural abnormalities that might be construed by the third parties as defects which develop after shipment.

Our surveyors are all Master Mariners and sufficiently competent to have their terms of reference extended, if necessary, to permit their intervention with reference to stowage problems and any other subjects giving rise to disputes which can develop during the course of loading.Pre-shipment survey shows if cargo is already injured before loading and shipping. Pre-shipment inspections and pre-loading survey are included in cargo condition survey.

 

 The purpose of a pre-shipment survey of the cargo is to establish its apparent condition immediately before it is loaded onto the vessel. Because of increasing claims for poor outturn of steel cargoes, it is now very common for carriers to contract independent surveyors to perform pre-loading surveys of this type of cargo. There would be insufficient time for the ships officers to perform a detailed survey of all of the cargo from the time of the arrival of the vessel until the cargo is loaded. Hence the assistance of an independent surveyor is essential if the condition of the cargo at this time is to be fully and accurately determined. This is done to assist the Master to ensure that the Mates receipts and bills of lading are appropriately clause to accurately describe the apparent condition of the cargo at the time he accepts responsibility for the cargo .

 

 Vessel Survey

 

Often a pre-shipment survey of the vessel is also requested. This will involve an examination of the vessels holds to ensure that they are in a suitable condition to receive the cargo. The survey also involves the examination of the hatches, ventilators, sounding pipes, accesses, etc. 

 

 Loading Survey

 

This activity includes compiling preliminary stowage plan and final cargo plan, monitoring of all stages of loading, control for stowage and securing of cargo in holds. Both ship's surveyors and underwriters' surveyors may be involved with these surveys. Loading surveys may be required as an extension to service provided above or may stand alone.

Usually the surveyor is requested to remain in attendance throughout the loading so that he can monitor the loading operation. He may be requested to advise the Master on stowage and dunnaging, and to check (and perhaps advise) on the standards of securing. Correct stowage ensures the load on the ships structure is within its strength limits (e.g., deck load in tonnes per square metre), avoids the cargo shifting, crushing and chafing, and ensures that the cargo can be readily discharged. Dunnage is used to distribute the load from the cargo, prevent friction damage, prevent distortion of the cargo in the stow and assist in cargo securing. The surveyor will keep complete records, such as the timing of the loading operations, including delays with reasons, the weather throughout, and details of the vessel, cargo description, numbers, types, weights, stowage, bills of lading, etc.

 

 Discharging Survey / Out-turn survey

 

Cargo surveyor may be called in to report on the condition of the cargo, when it arrives at destination. This may involve no more than an inspection of a particular commodity, perhaps a consignment of machinery or other goods, which may be susceptible to damage or which has suffered known damage in stow.

Even if there is no known damage receivers, or more probably their underwriters, knowing that a cargo susceptible to damage, will often commission a discharge survey as this may later make it easier to pin-point liability for any damage.

Prior to discharge, upon initial opening-up of the vessel’s hatches in port, we inspect the condition and stowage of the cargo in the holds, with special attention to possible salt water and shifting damage.

Moreover, we record in our report of survey the loading port particulars; such as amongst others, the weather during loading and endorsements made by the vessel’s staff on the mate’s receipts/bills of lading regarding the preloading condition of the cargo.

Furthermore, the weather conditions during the deep sea voyage to the port(s) of discharge, and other relevant information will be noted.

In case damaged cargo is ascertained during our outturn survey, we are able to follow up the consequent survey regarding the cause and extent of the damage on behalf of the P&I Club involved.

 

 Regarding our preloading surveys:

 

during and prior to loading we advise the master about our findings with regard to the condition of the cargo, and subsequently assist him to endorse the governing Mate’s Receipts and/or Bills of lading.

 

 Cargo Securing Survey

 

Surveyors are often called upon to inspect cargo securing, both in a ship and in a container.

In a conventional ship this is usually the function of the ship's surveyor who certifies that the ship owner or charterer has taken all reasonable precautions to cargo stowage and securing for the forthcoming voyage.

In a container, unless packed by the ship's representatives, it is more likely that cargo securing survey to be carried out by the shipper's or underwriter's surveyor. Its purpose is then to endeavour to establish that, if movement damage occurs in transit, it has been caused by actions of the carrier and not by the shipper's inadequate securing.

 

 Draft Survey

 

A draft survey is a means of determining the weight of any materials being loaded into (or discharged from) a vessel. SAM’s experienced and highly qualified professionals can conduct a draft survey on your behalf and produce an independent draft survey report.

The vessel draft survey measures the displacement of the vessel both before and after the loading or unloading, with the resulting difference between the two displacements representing the weight of the cargo. Our surveyors work according to defined international guidelines when determining the weight of the cargo and consider several key factors while making their surveys. These factors include:

• Water density of the sea, river or other waterway

• Changes in the ballast quantity between initial and final draft readings

• Changes in the vessel’s consumables (e.g. fuel oil, drinking water) between initial and final draft readings  

• Trim and deformation corrections (we use data from the vessel’s draft tables)

The accuracy of a weight determined by draft survey also depends upon the sea conditions (pitch and swell) at the time of loading or discharge.

 

 Complex and accurate calculations

 

Our draft surveyors feed the raw data from their readings into SAM’s unique draft survey software. This programme calculates the weight loaded (or discharged) using the internationally standardized draft survey protocol. We then compile the resulting findings into a draft survey report containing all of the details obtained during the survey. You can use this report as the basis for quantity certification of the cargo. 

 

 KEY BENEFITS OF SAM'S DRAUGHT SURVEYS

 

-  Independent check on weight of material, loaded or discharged

-  Qualified and experienced surveyors

-  Independent and experienced personnel are based in all key ports worldwide

-  Enhanced product value

Contact SAM’S Surveyors Experts now to find out more about our transportation and shipping services, including our draft surveys.

 

 BUNKER QUANTITY ( BQS ) AND CONDITIONAL SURVEYS

 

A bunker and conditional survey of a vessel is a key component used when establishing and documenting the condition of a vessel. Done when ownership changes or when a time charter is arranged, it protects your interests and investment. 

When buying, selling or chartering a vessel, an independent bunker and conditional survey provides you with documented proof of the actual condition of the vessel. A visual inspection performed by one of our marine services experts also minimizes your commercial and contractual risks by ensuring that the quality of the bulk cargo shipped from the load port is the quality that arrives at the discharge port. 

 

 BUNKER SURVEYS 

 

A bunker survey establishes the amount of bunker and lube oil onboard the vessel. These surveys are an important loss-prevention measure since documentation of bunker operations is required in the event of a dispute or claim. 

Improper collection and distribution of bunker samples may risk the settlement of a subsequent claim in the event of a dispute. Our global network of third party marine surveyors have extensive experience conducting bunker surveys prior to and after time charter periods. 

 

 ON / OFF HIRE SURVEY 

 

It is very important for a client when hiring a vessel to limit their liability, by ensuring they have the correct information on the condition of the vessel and work required in respect of the Charter Party. Hence it is in the interest of a Client to get an independent survey carried out on their behalf which will then be used as evidence for their liabilities for the Charter period.

We attending to check the condition of the vessel when she is chartered from or redelivered back to the owner which usually including in part of structure, document and bunker, vessel survey to get a general impression by inspecting selected areas:

 

● Accommodation

● Passenger areas

● Safety equipment

● Cargo areas

● Machinery spaces etc

● Planned Maintenance System for outstanding items

● Sample of any prearranged open spaces (tanks etc).

● Certification and Classification records to be inspected

● Brief interviews with some of the crew members

 

On Hire Survey and Off Hire Survey alternative choice:

On/Off Hire Condition Survey

On/Off Hire ROB Bunker Survey

On/Off Hire Condition and ROB Bunker Survey

 

 We carry out  BUNKER DETECTIVE SURVEYS and On-Hire/Off Hire Condition Survey.– we have detected several      MAGIC PIPES and several other techniques currently used by ships for hiding bunkers.

 

   CONDITIONAL SURVEYS 

 

A conditional survey is usually done in association with a bunker survey. A conditional survey is performed to inspect and record the condition of the loading gear, cargo holds and hatches of the vessel. 

SAM’s inspectors are highly regarded internationally. They provide you with documented independent proof of the actual condition of the vessel you are buying, chartering or using. The findings and the report that SAM’s inspectors provide can be used to substantiate claims that may arise as a result of damage to the vessel or cargo. 

Conditional and bunker surveys are two SAM’s commercial carrier inspections that give you financial protection and peace of mind when shipping bulk cargo.

As independent Marine & Cargo Surveyors, we offer on / off hire vessel condition surveys, condition surveys & pre purchase inspection in ports all over the North America.

 

     Purchase Surveys

• Focus on areas where defects can significantly reduce the value of the vessel and may require significant investment to correct.

• Making the investigation report with detail summary of the inspection in a narrative format with extensive photographic documentation and other relevant documents to gives the buyer an objective way to evaluate a vessel and ensure that it is tailored to their needs.

• We are always ready to focus on the buyer’s special instructions when preparing the inspection and report. If the buyer’s request a more detailed study that can be undertaken.

 

     Hatch Cover Water Tightness Test:

• We do water tightness inspection of vessel’s hatch covers to make sure about securing and tightness of hatch covers before loading.

• We use latest method of inspection like Ultrasonic Bulk Generator, Portascanner and/or Hose tests and/or Chalk tests.

       

     Hold Cleaning:

• Recommending procedures to ship crews and if deficient of time and resources to shore crews on proper techniques to expedite hold cleaning from various bulk commodities to grain and Green Delayed Calcined and non-calcined petroleum Coke, and vice versa.