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Project Cargo Surveyors in Africa | Heavy Lift & OOG Inspections

Expert Project Cargo Surveyors in Africa

We are Africa’s leading Project Cargo Surveyors, providing critical oversight for heavy-lift, out-of-gauge (OOG), and high-value cargo across the continent.

Marine Warranty Surveys in Africa

We are Africa’s leading Marine Warranty Surveyors (MWS), ensuring your high-value projects meet the highest standards. From HAZOP/HAZID analysis to reducing risks to ALARP, our experts in Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Lagos and + 45 Ports in Africa provide the critical oversight your project demands.

Your Eyes & Ears on the Ground

Our surveyors act as your dedicated representatives, providing hands-on supervision at every critical stage—from factory acceptance and loading to discharge and final installation.

Mitigating Risk, Ensuring Success

We specialize in proactive risk management for Africa’s complex logistics environments, preventing costly delays and ensuring your high-value assets are delivered safely and on schedule.

The High Stakes of Project Cargo Logistics in Africa

Heavy-lift and out-of-gauge (OOG) transportation is the engine of Africa’s growth, but these operations are fraught with risk. A single miscalculation in lifting, lashing, or transport can lead to catastrophic equipment damage, multi-million dollar claims, and critical project delays. The complexity and exposure demand more than a standard check; they require a dedicated Project Cargo Surveyor with deep regional expertise.

Our Solution: EXPERT PROJECT CARGO SURVEYORS

Our highly trained PROJECT CARGO SURVEYORS in Africa provide end-to-end risk management for your most critical shipments. We act as your eyes and ears on the ground, ensuring every stage of the logistics chain is meticulously planned and executed. From factory acceptance tests to final installation, our team provides the technical oversight needed to protect your assets.

This includes performing the duties of a Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) to satisfy underwriter requirements for high-risk operations. We review and approve lifting plans, route feasibility studies, stowage, and lashing arrangements, ensuring every procedure meets the highest standards of safety and precision to guarantee project success.

Project Cargo Surveyor overseeing a heavy lift operation at an African port

Our Core Services Across Africa

Project Cargo Surveys

We provide end-to-end oversight for your high-value project cargo. Our services include route feasibility studies, supervision of loading/discharge, and verification of lashing and securing, ensuring your heavy-lift and OOG assets are transported safely across Africa.

Off Shore Marine Warranty Surveys

Our highly trained surveyors provide critical MWS for offshore energy projects. We assess vessel suitability, approve complex offshore lifts, and ensure compliance for subsea installations, cable laying, and platform load-outs, satisfying the highest underwriter standards.

Loss Adjusters in Africa

As professional Loss Adjusters in Africa, we provide thorough investigation and accurate reporting for insurance claims related to cargo damage, vessel incidents, and liability disputes for P&I clubs and underwriters continent-wide.

Marine Surveying in Africa

Our highly trained surveyors carry out all types of marine and cargo surveying in Africa. This includes vessel condition, on/off-hire, draft, and bunker surveys, providing the foundational data needed to protect your maritime assets and ensure operational integrity for any project.

Cargo Surveying for African Projects

We are experts in cargo surveying across Africa, specializing in pre-shipment inspections, loading supervision, and damage assessments for project cargo. We protect your assets’ value, whether they are destined for major African ports or challenging inland locations.

Claims Management & Damage Surveys

When your valuable project cargo arrives damaged, our team responds immediately. We conduct thorough damage surveys, identify the root cause, and manage the entire claims process to mitigate your losses and ensure a fair, efficient resolution with all stakeholders.

Project Cargo Inspections

Our dedicated project cargo team provides end-to-end support, ensuring your high-value assets are managed with precision from factory to foundation. We focus on proactive risk mitigation and seamless logistical coordination for projects across Africa.

Pre-Shipment & Factory Acceptance

Verifying cargo condition, specifications, and readiness at the point of origin to prevent costly surprises upon arrival in Africa.

Route & Port Feasibility Surveys

Assessing the entire logistics chain, from the suitability of port cranes in African ports to the integrity of roads and bridges en route to remote sites.

Loading & Discharge Supervision

Our Port Captains provide on-the-ground supervision, ensuring every lift and maneuver aligns with approved safety standards and method statements.

Inland Transit Monitoring

Providing oversight for the critical road transport phase, including verification of lashing, securing, and transport configurations.

Heavy Lift Inspections

Heavy lifts are the most critical phase of any project. Our Marine Warranty Surveyors (MWS) and engineers provide the technical assurance needed to execute these operations flawlessly, satisfying the stringent requirements of global underwriters.

Lifting Plan & Calculation Review

Thorough, independent review of all technical documentation, including crane capacity charts, rigging studies, and load-spreading calculations.

Equipment & Rigging Inspection

Physical verification of all lifting appliances, from vessel and shore cranes to slings, shackles, and spreader beams, ensuring they are certified and fit for purpose.

Vessel Suitability & Stability

Confirming the vessel’s stability, deck strength, and mooring arrangements are adequate for the specific heavy lift operation planned.

On-Site Attendance & Approval

Our MWS provides on-site attendance to witness and approve critical operations, providing the final sign-off required by insurers.

Types of Cargo We Have Handled

  • Power Transformers
  • Gas & Steam Turbines
  • Refinery Modules & Skids
  • Wind Turbine Components
  • Mining Excavators & Dump Trucks
  • Pressure Vessels & Reactors
  • Bridge Beams & Girders
  • Railway Locomotives & Rolling Stock
  • Cranes & Lifting Equipment
  • Yachts & Marine Craft
  • Subsea Equipment
  • Drilling Rigs & Components
  • Generators & Power Plants
  • Boilers & Industrial Furnaces
  • Silos & Storage Tanks
  • Prefabricated Buildings
  • Oversized Structural Steel
  • Telecommunication Towers
  • Airport Navigation Equipment
  • Water Treatment Plants
  • Agricultural Harvesters
  • Manufacturing Press Machines
  • Control Rooms & E-Houses
  • Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs)
  • Military Vehicles & Equipment
  • Aid & Relief Cargo
  • Custom Solutions for Your Project

Our Team of Experts

Our services are delivered by a dedicated team of accredited professionals with extensive experience in the maritime and logistics industries across Africa.

Project Cargo Surveyors

Specialists in heavy-lift, OOG, and high-value cargo logistics and risk management.

Marine & Mechanical Engineers

Providing in-depth technical assessments of machinery, vessels, and equipment.

Port Captains & Master Mariners

On-the-ground supervision to ensure safe and efficient cargo operations from start to finish.

Claims & Recovery Specialists

Dedicated loss adjusters focused on meticulous investigation and fair claim resolution.

Our Expertise in Action Across the Region

Helicopter being prepared for transport

Project Cargo Survey: Helicopter Transport

Situation: Insurers required a warranty survey for the road transport of a new helicopter from Mombasa Port to Kampala, Uganda.

Our Action: Our surveyor reviewed the lifting plan, inspected the specialized low-loader, and verified all lashing and securing points to ensure compliance.

Result: The high-value asset was delivered safely with zero incidents, satisfying all underwriter requirements and protecting the client’s investment.

Trucks lined up for transport to Uganda

Cargo Damage Survey: Transit Trucks

Situation: A new fleet of trucks arrived at the Malaba border with significant body damage not noted on shipping documents.

Our Action: We conducted a comprehensive damage survey on each truck, documenting the extent of the damage with photographic evidence.

Result: Armed with our independent survey report, the company successfully filed an insurance claim and held the transporter liable, recovering repair costs.

Mining equipment for DRC

Heavy Lift Survey: Mining Excavator

Situation: A 90-ton excavator for a mining project in the DRC was arriving at the Port of Mombasa.

Our Action: As the appointed MWS, our team reviewed lifting plans, inspected rigging gear, and our Port Captain supervised the lift onto a specialized low-loader.

Result: The high-value asset was discharged and secured without incident, ensuring the project timeline was met.

High-tech equipment for Rwanda

Cargo Survey: High-Value Electronics

Situation: A consignment of sensitive medical equipment for a hospital in Kigali required verification at Mombasa Port.

Our Action: We conducted a full tally and external condition survey of all packages upon discharge, ensuring all seals were intact.

Result: Our report gave the consignee in Rwanda confidence that their cargo was handled correctly, facilitating smooth customs clearance.

Humanitarian aid for South Sudan

Project Cargo Survey: Infrastructure Materials

Situation: Prefabricated building materials for a project in Juba arrived as break-bulk cargo in Mombasa.

Our Action: We supervised the discharge, conducted a damage survey, and oversaw the lashing and securing onto trucks for the journey north.

Result: The materials arrived safely in Juba, preventing costly delays to the critical infrastructure project.

Agricultural machinery for Burundi

Cargo Survey: Agricultural Machinery

Situation: A shipment of tractors and farming implements destined for Bujumbura arrived via RORO in Mombasa.

Our Action: We performed a discharge survey on all units, documenting their condition and verifying chassis numbers against the manifest.

Result: Our independent report confirmed the machinery was received as per the contract, protecting the importer.

Your Trusted Project Cargo Partner Across Africa’s Key Logistics Hubs

Whether your project is in East, West, Southern, or North Africa, Observater has the local expertise and regional presence to provide seamless project cargo survey and MWS services. We are your single point of contact for mitigating risk across the continent.

East Africa

Expert project cargo surveyors in Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Beira, Tanga, and Djibouti, serving the logistics corridors to Uganda, Rwanda, DRC, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Southern Africa

Heavy-lift supervision and MWS in Durban, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Walvis Bay, and Maputo for mining, energy, and infrastructure projects.

West Africa

Comprehensive OOG cargo logistics support in Lagos, Tema, Lome, Abidjan, and Dakar for the oil & gas and construction sectors.

North Africa

Marine warranty and project cargo surveys in Port Said, Alexandria, Tangier Med, and Casablanca for industrial and renewable energy projects.

Why Choose Observater for Project Cargo in Africa?

  • Unmatched Pan-African Coverage: With a presence in over 45 ports, we offer consistent, high-quality service wherever your project takes you.
  • Deep Local Expertise: Our surveyors understand the unique challenges of each port and transport corridor, from local regulations to infrastructure limitations.
  • Comprehensive Risk Management: We go beyond simple inspections to provide end-to-end risk mitigation, protecting your investment from start to finish.

Get in Touch with Our Experts in Africa

Our team is ready to assist you with Project Cargo handling, transport, and claims solutions across Africa. We have a global network of equally minded partners, and are available to assist you from the manufacturer’s plant to Africa.

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Project Cargo & Marine Warranty Surveyors in Africa | Definitive Technical Oversight

Definitive Technical Oversight for High-Value Cargo in Africa

Our Project Cargo Surveyors and Marine Warranty Surveys are available at all ports listed below, providing unparalleled expertise across the continent.

Specializing in Marine Warranty and Project Cargo Surveys across Africa. Our highly trained, elite Marine Warranty Surveyors and Project Cargo Specialists are your essential risk mitigation partners on the ground at the following ports:

International Marine Cargo Surveyors, Loss Adjusters and Technical Consultants in Africa - On-ground expertise, Global reach. Your gateway to African and Global Marine Expertise: Trusted technical solutions, marine surveys, aviation cargo surveys, and cargo claims investigations.

Anywhere you Go in Africa, we are Already There, with capacity to serve Globally. HQ: Amir Suites, 1st Floor Room No. B6, Sauti ya Kenya Road, Mombasa, Kenya; Claims Office Express House Moi Avenue Road, Mombasa, Kenya. Email us: marinesurveyors@observater.com Tel: +254776960820

When precision matters, Observater Surveys Group is your Partner of Choice   

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