Your Trusted Partner in Marine Surveying

In the complex and high-stakes world of maritime commerce, clarity and certainty are paramount. Observater is a leading global provider of independent marine survey services, delivering the impartial, expert-led assessments that shipowners, charterers, insurers, P&I Clubs, and cargo interests rely on. Our mission is to be your trusted eyes and ears on the ground, providing timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence, wherever your operations may take you.

Our team of highly experienced and accredited marine surveyors—comprising master mariners, chief engineers, naval architects, and cargo specialists—offers a comprehensive portfolio of services. From investigating the cause and extent of cargo damage to assessing the condition of a vessel prior to purchase, our reports provide a definitive, unbiased record of the facts. We understand that our findings form the basis of major commercial and operational decisions, and we are committed to delivering a product of the highest integrity and technical quality.

With a strategic presence in key maritime hubs and a network spanning the globe, we combine international standards of excellence with invaluable local knowledge. This allows us to provide a responsive, consistent, and cost-effective service, whether you require a routine inspection or an urgent casualty investigation in a remote location. At Observater, we don’t just report the facts; we provide the context and insight you need to navigate risk and protect your assets effectively.

Comprehensive Cargo Surveying Services

The integrity of your cargo is the lifeblood of your business. Observater provides a complete suite of cargo surveys to protect the value of your goods at every stage of the supply chain. Our expertise spans all cargo types, from bulk commodities and project cargo to containerized and perishable goods, ensuring that no matter what you’re shipping, we have the specialized knowledge to protect it.

Cargo Damage & Contamination Surveys

When loss or damage occurs, a rapid and expert response is critical. Our surveyors conduct thorough forensic investigations to determine the root cause, nature, and precise extent of damage.

We thoroughly document all evidence, take representative samples for analysis, and provide clear, evidence-based reports that are essential for insurance claims, recovery actions, and liability disputes.

Loss Prevention: Loading & Discharge Supervision

The most effective way to manage a claim is to prevent it. Our surveyors provide on-site supervision of critical cargo operations to ensure correct handling, stowage, lashing, and securing. By proactively identifying and correcting issues before they escalate, we significantly reduce the risk of damage during transit, providing peace of mind for high-value, project, or sensitive cargoes.

Quantity & Quality Control

We provide independent and trusted verification of cargo quality and quantity. This includes pre-shipment inspections to ensure goods meet contractual specifications before loading, and precise quantity determination through draft surveys for bulk cargo or ullaging for liquids. Our impartial reports are crucial for preventing commercial disputes related to shortfalls or quality discrepancies.

Hull & Machinery and Vessel Condition Surveys

Our technical experts provide a full range of surveys related to the vessel itself, supporting shipowners, managers, charterers, and H&M underwriters in managing their assets and risks with confidence. We provide a clear, 360-degree view of a vessel’s technical health and operational readiness.

Damage & Repair Surveys

Following a casualty—be it a collision, grounding, fire, or machinery failure—our surveyors are on site quickly to investigate the cause and extent of the damage. We work collaboratively with all parties to agree on the scope of repairs, monitor their progress and quality, and rigorously vet all invoices to ensure costs are fair, reasonable, and attributable to the incident.

Condition & Pre-Purchase Surveys (S&P)

An informed purchase is a safe investment. We conduct in-depth condition surveys for owners, financial institutions, and prospective buyers, providing a detailed assessment of a vessel’s structural integrity, machinery condition, maintenance history, and class status.

Our comprehensive reports are an indispensable tool in any sale and purchase transaction, highlighting potential liabilities and informing negotiations.

On-Hire / Off-Hire & Bunker Surveys

To prevent disputes arising from charter parties, we perform thorough On-Hire and Off-Hire surveys. These establish the precise condition of the vessel’s holds and equipment, along with the exact quantity of bunkers and stores on board, at the beginning and end of the charter. This independent documentation is vital for a smooth and fair settlement between owners and charterers.

Marine Casualty & Incident Investigation

In the critical hours following a major marine incident, you need a partner with the experience and technical capability to take control of the investigation. Observater’s team of casualty investigators provides a rapid, 24/7 global response to collisions, groundings, fires, pollution events, and other serious maritime accidents.

Our primary objective is to collect and preserve perishable evidence, establish a clear timeline of events, and conduct a thorough root cause analysis. We are experts in:

• Evidence Preservation: Securing VDR/ECDIS data, vessel logs, and physical evidence to ensure a robust investigation.
• Root Cause Analysis: Moving beyond the immediate cause to identify underlying systemic or human factors.
• Technical Failure Analysis: Investigating machinery and structural failures with forensic precision.
• Stakeholder Management: Liaising with port authorities, class societies, and flag states on your behalf.

Our clear, concise, and authoritative reports provide the factual foundation needed by owners, insurers, and legal counsel to manage the aftermath of a major casualty, from regulatory inquiries to complex litigation.

Specialized Technical & Commodity Surveys

Different cargoes present unique risks. Observater fields a team of specialists with deep expertise in a wide range of commodities, ensuring that your specific cargo is inspected by someone who understands its particular vulnerabilities.

• Steel Cargo: Pre-loading condition surveys to document any pre-existing rust or damage, and supervision of handling to prevent mechanical damage.
• Machinery & Project Cargo: Marine Warranty Surveys (MWS) to approve lifting, transport, and securing plans for high-value items.
• Mineral Ores & Concentrates: Accurate quantity determination via draft survey and sampling for moisture content and transportable moisture limit (TML).
• Grains, Wheat, SBM, Rice: Quality and condition assessment, supervision of fumigation, and investigation into contamination or water damage claims.
• Fertilizer, Coal, Clinker: Expertise in preventing and investigating issues like caking, moisture migration, and contamination.
• Breakbulk Cargo: Tallying, condition surveys, and loss prevention supervision for general and bagged cargoes.
• Containerized Cargo: Inspection of container condition, stowage, and securing (CSC), and investigation of damage to contents.
• Flexitanks & Liquid Cargoes: Supervision of fitting, loading, and discharge to ensure integrity, and investigation of leaks or contamination.
• Soft Commodities (e.g., Coffee, Cocoa): Quality inspections and investigation into moisture-related damage and infestation.

Independent P&I & Liability Surveys

As trusted independent surveyors for the International Group of P&I Clubs, their members, and other liability insurers, we provide an immediate, discreet, and effective response to any incident that may give rise to a third-party liability.

Our role is to conduct an impartial investigation to establish the facts, provide early and accurate loss mitigation advice, and furnish the Club or insurer with the timely intelligence needed to manage their exposure.

Our independent P&I services cover the full spectrum of shipping-related liabilities, including:

• Cargo loss and damage claims
• Crew, stevedore, and third-party personal injuries
• Collisions, allisions, and fixed and floating object (FFO) damage
• Pollution incidents and environmental damage
• Stowaway and repatriation cases
• Fines and customs disputes

A Strategic Partner to All Market Stakeholders

Our independence and expertise make us a vital partner for every professional in the marine insurance ecosystem. We understand your unique challenges and provide services that create tangible value.

For Underwriters & P&I Clubs

We are your first line of defense and your source of ground truth. Our robust, impartial data helps you price risk accurately, set appropriate terms, and manage claims efficiently.

Our pre-risk surveys give you a clear view of the assets you insure, while our claims investigations provide the factual basis for fair and swift adjustments, helping you manage loss ratios and identify subrogation opportunities.

For Insurance Brokers & Assureds

We empower you to provide superior service and manage your risk profile. Our loss prevention surveys can lead to more favorable insurance terms, while our expert claims handling ensures a smooth, professional process when a loss occurs, reinforcing your position as a trusted advisor.

We help you demonstrate a commitment to risk management that is highly valued by the underwriting community.

For Shipowners, Charterers & Operators

We protect your assets and your commercial interests. From pre-purchase inspections that safeguard your investments, to on-hire/off-hire surveys that prevent charter party disputes, our services are designed to ensure smooth operations and mitigate financial risk. Our expertise helps you maintain your vessels, transport cargo safely, and respond effectively to any incident.

From the Field: A Gallery of Our Work

A visual testament to our hands-on approach. This gallery showcases our surveyors in action across the globe—documenting evidence, overseeing complex operations, and protecting our clients’ interests at every stage of the supply chain.