Cargo Inspections
PRE-SHIPMENT/PRE-LOADING SURVEYS
ERICSON AND RICHARDS specialize in Cargo Surveys for Export and cargo loading inspections as required by shipping lines, insurance companies, commercial agencies and P & I Clubs. Once our assessment and investigation is complete, we provide the customer with a written report detailing our findings.
We measure the cargo's volume for freight payment purposes and verify its condition by recording any visible damage before shipment at the factory or dock for insurers, carriers and forwarders.
We supervise loading, stowage, lashing, blocking and bracing to ensure the safe carriage of the cargo.
Surveys of break bulk cargo to ensure those bills of lading and mates receipts accurately note the apparent condition of cargo when it is loaded.
CARGO DAMAGE SURVEYS
We establish the extent of the damage and provide an unbiased estimate of commercial losses.
Investigations of cargo damage or loss claims on behalf of P & I Clubs, carriers, shippers, and consignees are performed to determine the possible cause, nature and extent of any damage that may have occurred during shipment, and to assist in mitigating further losses.
HOLD AND TANK CLEANLINESS SURVEYS
We inspect the vessel's cargo worthiness including hold or tank condition and cleanliness and the general suitability to load a particular cargo. This visual inspection of the cleanliness of the cargo holds or tanks of the vessel is important in order to minimise any possibility of contamination of the cargo preventing future claims.
LASHING SURVEYS
As requested by some Masters/Owners that do not agree on the suitability of lashings and/or the materials used for lashing cargo due to disputes with the charterers, we carry out lashing surveys to ensure that by using the most efficient means, cargo is held securely in place and will continue to do so for the duration of the voyage with no threat of it breaking loose and sustaining damage to itself, other cargo or to the vessel.
Measurement surveys
We specialize in Cargo Surveys for Import/Export and cargo loading inspections as required by shipping lines, insurance companies, commercial agencies and P & I Clubs. Once our assessment and investigation is complete, we provide the customer with a written report detailing our findings.
We measure the cargo's volume for freight payment purposes and verify its condition by recording any visible damage before shipment at the factory or dock for insurers, carriers and forwarders.
We supervise loading, stowage, lashing, blocking and bracing to ensure the safe carriage of the cargo.
Route surveys
We conduct route surveys to identify routes which are suitable for the safe transportation of over dimensional cargo, whilst eliminating the routes which are unfeasible or impractical. Cargo is escorted along its journey from the port to its destination inland or vice-versa. The items / hazards that are taken into consideration include but are not limited to the following; width of roads, bridge and tunnel clearance heights, acute corners, the angle of incline/decline, drainage, traffic congestion, utilities cables and road surface condition.
Discharge surveys
We specialize in Cargo Surveys for Export and cargo discharging inspectionsas required by shipping lines, insurance companies, commercial agencies and P & I Clubs. Once our assessment and investigation is complete, we provide the customer with a written report detailing our findings.
We measure the cargo's volume for freight payment purposes and verify its condition by recording any visible damage before shipment at the factory or dock for insurers, carriers and forwarders.
We perform out-turn surveys of steel, arriving at the discharge port to establish condition, any damage or shift of cargo that may have occurred during the voyage by using Silver Nitrate Testing for Chlorides.
Manufacturing Plant inspections
In order to prevent or minimise claims pertaining to cargo quality and specification, we conduct surveys of various steel cargoes at the manufacturing plant prior shipment. The inspection includes checking of shipping marks, package numbers, colour codes, embossing / hard punching and customary packing. Apart from visual inspection of the cargo the survey also encompasses physical verification of measurements and witnessing chemical and mechanical tests at the plant. The survey is either carried out on behalf of the shippers / exporters or the receivers to ensure that they are in compliance with the sales contract and technical delivery conditions between the shippers and receivers.