Your Authoritative Partner in Cargo Quantity Verification

In the high-stakes world of international trade, clarity is your most valuable asset. Observater Surveys and Services Sarl is Djibouti’s leading independent authority for verifying cargo quantity, providing the impartial, detailed data you need to operate with confidence.

Operating from the strategic hub of Djibouti City, we are the trusted advisers for our clients’ interests at the Port of Doraleh, the Djibouti Free Zones (DIFTZ), and across the vital logistics corridor to Ethiopia.

Our elite team of inspectors leverages deep local expertise with unwavering adherence to global standards (API, ASTM, ISO). From the diligent process of a draft survey to the critical oversight of a pre-shipment inspection, our certified reports provide the authoritative evidence required to support your financial interests, mitigate risk, and reduce the likelihood of costly commercial disputes. We don’t just count cargo; we deliver clarity.

Core Services in Bulk & Liquid Cargo Surveys

Our services are designed to provide an authoritative, independent record of quantity for both bulk and liquid cargoes. This documentation forms the bedrock of secure commercial transactions, as it gives all parties a clear, mutually understood basis for their agreements. We focus on delivering the crucial data that our clients—be they shippers, receivers, charterers, or owners—rely on to verify that the quantities being transacted are correct.

Our objective is simple: to confirm that the quantity you pay for, or are being paid for, is the quantity that has been loaded or discharged, thereby fostering transparency and confidence throughout the supply chain.

Draft Surveys: The Foundation of Bulk Trade

The draft survey is the globally accepted method for determining the weight of bulk cargo, and it is a process of immense technical complexity. Our highly experienced master mariners and chief engineers conduct these surveys with unparalleled professional diligence.

This involves meticulously reading the vessel’s draft marks, calculating the vessel’s trim and list, measuring the density of the water, and assessing all deductible weights on board, including ballast water, fuel, and stores. By applying hydrostatic principles to the vessel’s unique data tables, we provide an independent, certified weight certificate. This document serves as the authoritative basis for Bills of Lading and commercial invoices, assisting both buyer and seller in ensuring the transaction is fair and accurate from the start.

Bunker & Fuel Quantity Surveys: Addressing Your Highest Cost

In the maritime industry, marine fuel represents the single largest operational expense, making any quantity discrepancy a significant financial issue. Our bunker surveys provide a rigorous, impartial, and independent verification of fuel quantities during critical on-hire, off-hire, and delivery events.

Our surveyors expertly sound all tanks, apply temperature corrections, and use their deep knowledge to identify potential issues like entrapped air or the “cappuccino effect.” The detailed report we issue serves as your primary tool against shortages and commercial disputes, promoting essential transparency and accountability in fuel management and helping to reconcile charter party agreements with confidence and clarity.

Liquid Cargo & Petrochemical Inspection

Observater is a trusted name for the custody transfer of high-value and sensitive liquid cargoes. Our operations strictly adhere to the most rigorous international standards, including those set by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Our inspectors deliver a detailed quantity determination through a series of expert procedures, including ullage surveys, comprehensive tank gauging of both ship and shore tanks, and precise temperature readings. This methodical approach is aimed at verifying the integrity and volume of every barrel of petroleum, chemical product, or edible oil. We provide the clear, verifiable data necessary to give all parties confidence in high-stakes transfers, where even the smallest variance can have significant financial consequences.

Comprehensive Tally for General & Ro-Ro Cargo

For goods where a unit-by-unit count is the paramount method of verification, our tally services provide a detailed, on-the-ground confirmation of quantity. This physical count is an essential tool for creating a clear chain of custody, mitigating claims of shortage, and swiftly identifying potential loss points anywhere in the supply chain.

In the fast-paced environment of port operations, an independent tally acts as a crucial check against manifests and packing lists, reducing the risk of human error and providing a factual basis for resolving discrepancies before they escalate into costly commercial disputes. We are your independent eyes on the ground.

Our team of dedicated and highly trained tally clerks carefully tracks and records every single unit of cargo as it is handled. Whether it is containerized cargo being stuffed or stripped, break-bulk items like steel coils or bagged goods being loaded, or Ro-Ro (vehicles) being driven on or off a vessel, our process is unchanged. The final result is a comprehensive and authoritative outturn report. This document provides a clear, reliable, and independently verified record of the exact cargo quantity handled, which is invaluable for reconciling Bills of Lading, clearing customs, and substantiating insurance claims.

Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI): Your First Line of Defense

A Pre-Shipment Inspection is arguably the most effective and powerful tool available for proactive risk management in the global supply chain. By commissioning an independent verification of your cargo *before* it is shipped from the supplier’s premises, you can identify and address potentially costly problems at their source, long before they become your liability.

This inspection is an independent process designed to verify whether the goods appear to meet your contractual specifications for quantity, packing, and overall readiness for shipment. It gives you crucial oversight at the most critical point of leverage in your transaction with the seller, providing an opportunity to confirm quality before final payment is made and goods are dispatched.

Our inspectors act as your impartial eyes and ears at the point of origin, wherever that may be. We conduct a thorough and methodical verification of the cargo against your specific purchase order, confirming the exact quantity of goods prepared. Critically, we also assess the suitability and durability of the packing materials and methods for the intended sea or land voyage. The process is concluded with a detailed photographic report, providing you with clear, visual evidence of the findings. This report empowers you with the knowledge to either approve the shipment with confidence or demand immediate corrective action from your supplier. This is a vital step in managing your investment and upholding the integrity of your supply chain from its very start.

Frequently Asked Questions about Quantity Verification