Observater provides certified Ship Draft Surveys at the Port of Lamu. Our service is the definitive, internationally accepted method for verifying the weight of bulk and transhipment cargo, ensuring accurate B/L figures and commercial settlements.
Your Independent Partner for Marine & Cargo Surveys at Lamu Port
At Kenya’s new strategic deep-water Port of Lamu, Observater delivers the leading independent third-party supervision for the LAPSSET corridor’s growing trade. We provide precision and certainty to every stakeholder in the supply chain: importers, exporters, shippers, carriers, P&I Clubs, charterers, and vessel owners.
As your impartial expert on the ground at Lamu, our role is to provide an accurate, verifiable record of cargo quantity and condition. This independent certification is vital for fulfilling contracts, securing customs bonds for transhipment cargo, and preventing costly commercial disputes. Specializing in the unique logistics of the LAPSSET corridor, Observater is the trusted partner for protecting the value and interests of all parties involved in shipments through Lamu to Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Core Services at the Port of Lamu
Appointing Observater for an independent survey is the most reliable way to verify cargo quantities at Lamu Port. Our core services are designed to protect the financial interests of all parties through accurate, impartial verification at this critical logistics hub.
Ship Draft Survey for Bulk & Transhipment Cargo
For bulk and transhipment cargo, Observater’s Ship Draft Survey is the globally accepted standard for determining the weight. Our accredited surveyors conduct detailed measurements of the vessel’s displacement before and after loading/discharging to produce a definitive and impartial weight certificate.
- For Shippers & Traders: The certified weight is crucial for creating an accurate Bill of Lading, fulfilling contractual obligations on quantity, and generating commercial invoices.
- For Logistics & Customs: For transhipment cargo, the draft survey provides the verified weight needed for customs bonding and planning onward transport along the LAPSSET corridor.
Bunker Quantity Survey (BQS)
For vessels taking on fuel at Lamu, an Observater Bunker Survey provides independent verification of the quantity delivered. This is a critical risk management tool for vessel operators.
Our surveyors conduct meticulous measurements of the vessel and any bunker barge tanks before and after the transfer. This physical verification provides an impartial and accurate record, protecting charterers and ship owners from short delivery and ensuring they only pay for the fuel they actually receive.
Proactive Cargo Inspection & Loss Control
Observater’s continuous on-site supervision of cargo operations at the Port of Lamu provides active, real-time risk mitigation. Our surveyors monitor the entire process, from pre-loading inspections to the completion of stowage and securing.
Our Key Cargo Inspection Activities:
- Hold & Container Suitability: Before loading commences, we inspect the vessel’s holds or containers to ensure they are clean, dry, and fit to receive your cargo, preventing contamination.
- Supervision of Handling: Our surveyors monitor the entire process, observing handling practices to minimize spillage and product loss, ensuring a safe and efficient operation.
- Specialized Livestock Supervision: For livestock exports, we ensure compliance with animal welfare standards, monitor pen conditions, and provide accurate head counts.
This proactive supervision protects the cargo for the trader, minimizes the risk of claims against the carrier and their P&I Club, and ensures a well-documented operation for the vessel owner and charterer.
Observater’s Expertise in Lamu’s Strategic Trade
Our team in Kenya is experienced in handling the diverse cargo types expected to move through the Port of Lamu as the LAPSSET corridor develops. We tailor our inspection approach to the unique characteristics of each cargo.
- Transhipment Cargo (for South Sudan & Ethiopia): We specialize in maintaining the chain of custody, verifying quantities upon arrival, and supervising the secure transfer to trucks or rail for onward transit.
- Livestock Exports: Our specialized surveys ensure humane handling, verify animal health and fitness for transport, and provide accurate head-count tallies for exporters.
- General & Containerized Cargo: We provide tally, condition, and securing surveys for all break-bulk and containerized goods, ensuring safe transit.
- Bulk Cargo (Imports & Exports): Our services ensure accurate quantity verification through draft surveys and monitor handling to maintain product purity and prevent loss.
Frequently Asked Questions about Surveys at Lamu
An independent Draft Survey at Lamu provides the trader with a certified, impartial weight certificate for their bulk shipment at the start of its inland journey. This figure is the most reliable quantity for customs declarations and for verifying against the final outturn at the destination in South Sudan or Ethiopia. It protects the trader by providing robust, third-party evidence of the exact quantity that entered the corridor.
For livestock exports, independent supervision is crucial for both animal welfare and commercial reasons. Our surveyors ensure that handling and loading procedures comply with international standards, minimizing stress and injury to the animals. Commercially, our independent head count provides a verifiable tally of the number of animals loaded, which is essential for the bill of lading and for preventing disputes with the buyer upon arrival.
A transhipment survey at Lamu Port is a comprehensive service to maintain chain of custody. It includes verifying the quantity and condition of the cargo as it’s discharged from the vessel. We then supervise the temporary storage and subsequent loading onto trucks or rail, ensuring no loss or damage occurs during the transfer. For containerized cargo, this includes seal verification at each stage, providing a complete, secure record of the cargo’s journey through the port.