Survey services in port
cargo inspection and draft survey
Survey services in port are needed when cargo arrives damaged, the quantity does not match the documents or the insurer requires an independent inspection. The key is to act before the cargo leaves the terminal: once it is gone, proving where the damage happened is almost impossible.
Surveys in Vladivostok, Vostochny and Nakhodka cover containers, breakbulk and bulk cargo, on loading and on discharge. The report is prepared so that the insurer, carrier and supplier will accept it.
Specification
Specification · Port survey. Standard terms · scope is confirmed per cargo and purpose
Service
- Types
- cargo and container inspection, draft survey, stuffing supervision
- Ports
- Vladivostok, Vostochny, Nakhodka
- Options
- joint survey with the carrier, report translation
Terms
- Timing
- attendance in 1 day, report in 1–3 days
- Documents
- report with photos included
- Currency
- USD / RUB
Logistics
- Before
- purpose, insurer, cargo access
- Inspection
- condition, quantity, photos
- After
- remarks, notice, report
Price
- Base
- rate per inspection or per vessel
- Extras
- container positioning, trips outside Vladivostok — at cost
Service flow
- 01
Request
We take the request: cargo, place and time, purpose (insurance claim, acceptance, dispute with the carrier). If the cargo is insured, we check the insurer's requirements for the surveyor.
same day - 02
Access to cargo
We arrange access to the cargo with the terminal, container positioning or presence on board, and if needed invite carrier and terminal representatives to a joint inspection.
1 day - 03
Inspection
We inspect cargo, packing, seals and lashing, count packages, and for bulk read drafts before and after cargo work. Everything is photographed with place and time stamps.
from a few hours - 04
Remarks and notices
We enter remarks on the mate's receipt, delivery record or EIR before the cargo leaves the port, and send the carrier written notice of damage.
on inspection day - 05
Survey report
We issue the survey report: cargo condition and quantity, list of damage, likely causes, photos. For draft surveys — the cargo weight calculation.
1–3 days
Problems
The damage was noticed at the consignee's warehouse — the carrier replies that cargo was delivered without remarks.
We inspect cargo before it leaves the terminal, enter remarks on the delivery record or EIR and notify the carrier in writing.
The insurer refuses to pay: the inspection was done without its knowledge or the report does not meet its requirements.
Before the inspection we notify the insurer and agree the surveyor and report content under the policy terms.
The bulk weight on paper differs from reality, and there is nowhere to weigh the whole lot.
We carry out a draft survey before and after cargo work — the recognised way to establish bulk cargo weight.
Documents
The documents a surveyor will need. The delivery term decides where risk passes — and therefore at which port a survey matters most and who files the claim.
Incoterms
- CIF / CIP
- the seller insures, the buyer claims — a survey at destination is needed
- FOB
- risk passes on board — a loading survey protects the seller
- DAP
- risk stays with the seller to destination — inspection on delivery settles disputes
Documents
- Bill of lading
- quantity, description and remarks under which cargo was accepted
- Invoice and packing list
- the reference for actual quantity and value
- Insurance policy
- cover terms and the insurer's survey requirements
- Terminal records
- tally sheets, delivery records, container EIR
- Ship's data
- for draft survey — draft marks, hydrostatic tables, ballast and bunker data
FAQ
A draft survey establishes the weight of bulk cargo from the vessel's draft before and after cargo work, adjusting for water density, ballast and stores. It is used when the whole lot cannot be weighed, for example coal, ore or fertiliser. The result is the basis for settlement with the buyer and quantity claims.
A survey report is issued: cargo condition and quantity, list of damage, likely causes, and photos with place and time stamps. Where needed we also enter remarks on the mate's receipt, B/L or delivery record. The report is usually ready 1–3 days after the inspection.
The surveyor is hired by one party — cargo owner, insurer or carrier — but the job is to record facts objectively, not to prove anyone right. That is why an independent report is accepted by all parties to a dispute. If the cargo is insured, agree the surveyor with the insurer in advance.
Do not take the container out without a damage note: enter a remark on the EIR or delivery record, photograph the seal and box and call a surveyor. If the cargo is insured, notify the insurer immediately. Send the carrier written notice; for hidden damage, within the short deadline set by the Russian Merchant Shipping Code.
The price depends on survey type, cargo volume and location: inspecting one container, surveying a breakbulk lot and a vessel draft survey are priced differently. Container positioning by the terminal and trips to Vostochny or Nakhodka are extra. We quote an exact price once we have a request describing the cargo.