On/Off, ROB Surveys
On-Hire / Off-Hire & ROB Surveys in Africa

Ensure fairness and transparency at the start and end of every charter. Our On-Hire and Off-Hire surveys provide an impartial, detailed snapshot of vessel condition and bunker quantities (ROB), protecting the interests of both shipowners and charterers and preventing costly disputes. Our style: Precision in Everything, Accuracy in All

On/Off, ROB Surveys
BIS and B221 Surveys
BQS Survey in Africa
Ship Condition Survey
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Bunker Surveyors in Africa | Independent BQS, On/Off-Hire & 221B Surveys

Bunker Surveyors in Africa

Independent Bunker Quantity Surveys, On-Hire and Off-Hire surveys, and 221B detective surveys, delivered by local teams stationed at major ports from Morocco to South Africa, Senegal to Djibouti.

Our Bunker Survey Methodology

One standard, applied consistently by every local team across the continent.

Bunker Quantity Surveys (BQS)

Precise, independent verification of fuel deliveries, following international standards to protect your largest single operational cost.

  • Pre-bunkering tank measurements
  • Sampling during bunkering (MARPOL)
  • Temperature and density verification
  • Post-bunkering calculations
  • Certified report issuance
  • Dispute resolution support

221B Detective Surveys

When discrepancies are suspected, these investigative surveys are built to find the facts, uncover undeclared bunkers, and produce a definitive, confidential report.

  • Full inspection of piping diagrams
  • Systematic search of tanks and void spaces
  • Advanced sounding technology
  • Sealing of tanks and valves
  • Detailed photographic evidence
  • Confidential reporting to principals

On-Hire & Off-Hire Surveys

Fairness and transparency at the start and end of every charter, protecting both shipowners and charterers from later disputes.

  • Accurate ROB (Remaining on Board) assessment
  • Vessel condition documentation
  • Verification of holds, hatches, and cargo gear
  • Confirmation of vessel certificates
  • Joint surveys with all parties represented
  • Certified reports for charter agreements

Condition Assessments

A detailed, factual assessment of a vessel’s condition, used for pre-purchase, insurance, P&I Club entry, and chartering.

  • Structural hull and deck integrity
  • Machinery and engine room inspection
  • Cargo hold and hatch cover condition
  • Statutory certificate verification
  • Pre-purchase and valuation surveys
  • P&I Club entry surveys

Country Coverage

Local survey teams and reporting, by country.

Ports Covered Across Africa

Select a marker to jump to that country’s dedicated survey page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have bunker surveyors in every African country?

We maintain dedicated local bunker survey teams in over 20 African countries, from Morocco and Egypt in the north to South Africa in the south, and Senegal in the west to Djibouti and Tanzania in the east. Each country page above lists the specific ports we cover and the surveyor stationed there.

What is the difference between a BQS and a 221B survey?

A Bunker Quantity Survey (BQS) is a routine, scheduled measurement of fuel delivered or remaining on board, performed openly with all parties present. A 221B detective survey is an investigative attendance carried out when discrepancies are suspected, searching for concealed tanks, tampered gauges, or undeclared bunkers.

How quickly can Observater deploy a bunker surveyor in Africa?

Because we station surveyors locally rather than flying them in, response times are measured in hours at most major ports, not days. Deployment speed varies by port; your country’s dedicated page above has the specific detail for that location.

Appoint a Bunker Surveyor

Find your country above for local port detail, or contact our operations desk directly for any location not yet listed.

Nominate a Vessel

operations@observater.com  |  Mombasa, Kenya

Interactive Map of African Ports and Cities