Survey support for project cargo
and geodesy: intake, loading, securing, discharge
Survey support for project cargo is an independent record of cargo condition and correct operations at every handover: intake, loading, transshipment and discharge. If something is damaged, the survey report shows where and whose fault it was — without it, a claim against the carrier or insurer is hard to prove.
On large projects the insurer often appoints a marine warranty surveyor (MWS) who approves lift and securing plans in advance; without the MWS certificate the cover may not apply. Geodetic surveyors add clearance measurements on the route and axis setting-out on site.
Specification
Specification · Survey and geodesy. Standard terms · the survey programme is agreed per project and insurer requirements
Service
- Survey
- intake, loading, transshipment, discharge
- Geodesy
- clearances, sites, setting-out
- Options
- MWS liaison, damage survey
Terms
- Attendance
- per operation schedule, usually 1–2 days' notice
- Report
- 1–3 days after each stage
- Currency
- RUB / USD
Logistics
- Start
- programme, factory intake
- En route
- loading, securing, transshipments
- Finish
- discharge, set-down, final report
Price
- Base
- per attendance or per stage
- Extras
- travel, geodesy, urgent call-outs — on request
Service flow
- 01
Survey programme
We define the hold points — intake, loading, transshipments, discharge — and align the programme with the insurer's requirements, including the marine warranty surveyor if one is appointed.
1–2 days - 02
Intake
At the factory or warehouse we inspect the cargo, packing, preservation and marks, tally the pieces and take photos. Defects are recorded before the carrier takes over the cargo.
1 day - 03
Loading and securing
We supervise slinging, lifting, stowage and securing of the heavy unit against the lashing plan and require corrections where needed. A report and lashing certificate follow.
during loading - 04
Transshipment and discharge
We attend transshipments and discharge: check pieces against the tally sheet, inspect cargo and securing, record any damage before acceptance documents are signed.
during the operation - 05
Reports
We issue survey reports for each stage. If there is damage, we prepare a report on the cause and help notify the carrier and insurer on time.
1–3 days after each stage
Problems
Damage is found at site, and every party in the chain claims it handed the cargo over intact.
The surveyor inspects at every handover, and the reports show at which stage the damage appeared.
The insurer declines the claim: the lift went ahead without the MWS approval required by the policy.
We align the survey programme with the policy terms and submit plans to the MWS for approval in advance.
The actual clearance under an overpass is less than the reference data — the low-bed stops in front of it.
Surveyors measure pinch points before departure, and the data goes into the 3D route model.
Documents
Documents issued by the surveyor. An independent inspection matters most where risk passes under the delivery term: it shows the condition in which the cargo was handed over.
Incoterms
- FOB
- risk passes on board — the loading survey records the condition in which cargo was taken over
- CIF
- the seller insures but the buyer claims — a discharge survey is needed
- DAP
- risk to destination lies with the seller — the delivery survey settles disputes
Documents
- Survey report
- per stage, with photos and findings
- Tally sheet
- piece and marks count at intake and discharge
- Lashing certificate
- confirmation of securing per plan
- Damage report
- nature, location and likely cause of damage
- Geodetic records
- clearance measurements, site surveys, setting-out
FAQ
A surveyor impartially records cargo condition and whether operations were done correctly. If there is damage, the report is the key evidence in a dispute with the insurer and carrier over who is liable and at which stage. Without it, you must rely on your own photos, which are accepted reluctantly.
At cargo intake, loading and securing, transshipments and discharge — at every critical handover where the cargo passes from one party to another. A survey report with photos is issued after each stage, and together they form an end-to-end evidence base.
It is the surveyor's attendance during lifting and stowage: checking the rigging and its certificates, conformity of slinging and securing with approved plans and absence of damage. Deviations must be corrected before the vessel or vehicle departs. The result is a report and a lashing certificate.
An MWS is a survey required by the insurer: its appointed expert approves lifting, securing and transport procedures in advance and issues a certificate before the operation. If the policy requires an MWS and the operation went ahead without approval, the cover may not apply.
Measuring real clearances at pinch points, surveying sites for equipment access, setting out axes for placing equipment on foundations and reconciling actual data with the 3D route model. It removes the risk of stopping in front of a structure that looked passable on paper.
Do not accept the cargo without remarks: call a surveyor, record the damage and notify the carrier in writing within the period set by the contract and law. For sea carriage, non-apparent damage generally has to be notified within three days of delivery. The surveyor's report then supports a claim against the insurer or carrier.