Your Partner in Marine Surveys & Risk Management

In the world of marine insurance, knowledge is the ultimate currency. Accurate risk assessment and proactive loss prevention are the cornerstones of profitable underwriting and effective client brokerage. Observater provides the global insurance market—including underwriters, brokers, P&I Clubs, and their assureds—with the independent, expert-led surveying services necessary to manage risk with clarity and confidence.

We are more than just post-incident investigators; we are your proactive partners in loss prevention. Our comprehensive suite of services, from pre-risk condition surveys and project cargo warranty inspections to specialized perishable cargo management, is designed to provide a clear, real-time understanding of the risks you insure. Our global network of seasoned surveyors delivers impartial, data-driven reports that empower you to price policies accurately, advise clients effectively, and ultimately, prevent losses before they occur.

When a loss does happen, our Hull & Machinery and cargo experts provide the rapid, authoritative response needed to manage the claim efficiently, control costs, and identify recovery opportunities. We serve as the trusted eyes and ears of the insurance market, delivering the technical insight that underpins sound decision-making at every stage of the policy lifecycle.

Core Surveying Services for the Insurance Market

We deliver a full spectrum of marine surveys, each tailored to the specific needs of the insurance community. Our commitment is to provide fast, factual, and actionable intelligence that directly supports your underwriting, broking, and claims functions.

Pre-Risk & Condition Surveys

Before you bind or renew a policy, our surveyors provide a thorough, independent assessment of the asset. Our vessel condition surveys evaluate structural integrity, maintenance standards, and operational readiness. This critical due diligence provides underwriters with a clear picture of the physical risk, ensuring the asset matches the policy application and enabling more accurate premium pricing.

Hull & Machinery (H&M) Damage Surveys

Following a collision, grounding, fire, or machinery breakdown, our H&M surveyors are deployed immediately to assess the nature, cause, and extent of the damage. We provide an impartial, expert opinion that distinguishes between new and old damage, evaluates repair specifications, and vets invoices to ensure costs are fair and reasonable. Our oversight ensures a cost-effective and timely return to service, minimizing business interruption.

Loss Prevention & Mitigation Surveys

The most effective claim is one that never happens. Our loss prevention services are designed to proactively mitigate risk. We conduct warranty surveys to ensure compliance with specific policy conditions for high-stakes operations like heavy-lift transport or towage. Our experts also perform loading, stowage, and lashing surveys to ensure high-value or sensitive cargo is secured correctly, significantly reducing the likelihood of a claim mid-voyage.

Specialized Expertise in High-Risk Cargo

Standard surveys are insufficient for non-standard risks. We provide world-class expertise in highly specialized areas, giving underwriters and brokers the confidence to engage with complex and high-value cargo segments.

Perishable Cargo & Reefer Risk Management

We are global leaders in perishable cargo inspections. Our specialized fruit, flower, and fresh produce surveyors offer a complete risk management solution. This includes pre-shipment quality control, loading surveys to ensure correct stowage and temperature settings, and analysis of cold chain data upon discharge. For insurers, this proactive management of the cold chain is the most effective way to prevent the multi-million dollar spoilage claims common in the reefer trade.

• Pre-shipment Quality & Condition: Verifying the cargo meets specifications before the insurance risk attaches.
• Cold Chain Management: Ensuring correct handling, stowage, and equipment operation throughout the supply chain.
• Atmosphere & Temperature Analysis: Expert analysis of temperature recorder data to pinpoint the cause of temperature abuse claims.
• Ethylene Mitigation: Advising on measures to prevent premature ripening and decay in sensitive produce.

Project Cargo & Heavy Lift Warranty Surveys

Our marine engineers and master mariners act as the trusted technical advisors for underwriters on complex project cargo movements. We review and approve towage plans, lifting arrangements, and sea-fastening designs to ensure they meet the highest industry standards and comply with all policy warranties, providing critical oversight for these high-value operations.

Specialized Technical Inspections & Cargo Risk Management

Beyond standard surveys, Observater provides in-depth technical inspections and dedicated risk management for a wide array of specialized and bulk cargoes. Every commodity has a unique risk profile, requiring expert oversight at critical points like loading and discharge to prevent loss. Our proactive approach ensures that from steel coils to soft commodities, your cargo is protected against its specific vulnerabilities, such as physical damage, contamination, moisture, or quantity discrepancies.

• Steel Cargo: Inspections focus on preventing physical damage (bending, scoring), rust (freshwater vs. saltwater), and ensuring proper lashing and dunnage to avoid shifting during transit.
• Machinery & Breakbulk Cargo: We provide oversight on lifting operations, securing arrangements (lashing/chocking), and protection from the elements to prevent damage to high-value, oversized, or sensitive equipment.
• Mineral Ores, Coal & Clinker: Risk management centers on accurate quantity determination via draft surveys, moisture content analysis (which can affect cargo weight and stability), and sampling to prevent quality disputes.
• Grains (Wheat, SBM, Rice): Our focus is on preventing contamination, infestation, and moisture damage. We monitor fumigation, inspect hold cleanliness, and provide temperature monitoring to safeguard quality.
• Fertilizer: Requires careful handling to prevent caking from moisture ingress and contamination from other cargoes. We oversee loading/discharge to ensure product integrity.
• Containerized Cargo: We inspect container condition, verify correct stuffing and securing of goods inside the container, and ensure seals are intact to manage risks from transit damage to theft.
• Flexi Tanks: Specialized inspections of the tank installation within the container are critical to prevent catastrophic leaks. We verify the tank’s suitability, fitting procedures, and loading process.
• Soft Commodities (e.g., Coffee, Cocoa, Sugar): These high-value goods are susceptible to moisture, condensation, and contamination. Our inspections focus on packaging integrity, warehouse conditions, and careful handling to preserve quality.

Energy & Offshore Risk Services

The offshore energy sector presents a unique and complex risk landscape. Observater provides specialized surveying and consultancy services tailored for underwriters and operators in the oil, gas, and renewable energy industries. Our team of experienced marine engineers and offshore specialists delivers critical insights for both fixed and mobile assets.

We conduct in-depth condition surveys of drilling rigs, FPSOs, and support vessels, providing a clear assessment of their operational integrity. In the event of an incident, we investigate everything from subsea equipment failure to platform damage, providing the technical evidence needed to adjust complex Control of Well or Business Interruption claims. Our expertise helps energy insurers underwrite and manage these high-value risks with greater certainty.

Advanced Surveying Technology & Data Analytics

We integrate cutting-edge technology to deliver survey reports of unparalleled accuracy and detail. Our commitment to innovation provides our clients with a clearer, more comprehensive understanding of their assets and risks. Our surveyors are certified and equipped to deploy a range of advanced tools to capture data that is beyond the reach of traditional methods.

This includes the use of high-definition drones to inspect inaccessible areas like ship structures or cargo holds safely and efficiently, and terrestrial laser scanning (LiDAR) to create precise 3D models for highly accurate stockpile volume calculations or damage mapping. By combining this captured data with our analytical expertise, we transform raw information into actionable intelligence, offering clients a decisive advantage in risk assessment and claims negotiation.

Logistics & Supply Chain Security

Marine risk does not begin and end at the quayside. We offer a holistic approach to risk management that covers the entire logistics chain. Our supply chain security services are designed to identify and mitigate risks of cargo loss due to theft, diversion, or poor handling, from the point of origin to the final destination.

Our experts conduct comprehensive risk audits of warehouses, port terminals, and distribution centers, assessing physical security, procedural controls, and inventory management systems. We provide actionable recommendations to strengthen security and reduce vulnerabilities. For high-value or sensitive shipments, we can implement covert tracking and monitoring solutions, providing real-time intelligence and an enhanced layer of protection that is highly valued by cargo underwriters and their clients.

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 provide the robust, impartial data you need to 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 your loss ratios and identify subrogation opportunities.

For Insurance Brokers

We empower you to provide superior service to your clients. Our loss prevention and risk management surveys help your clients reduce their risk profile, which can lead to more favorable terms and lower premiums. When a claim occurs, our expert handling ensures a smooth, professional process, reinforcing your position as a trusted advisor.

For Assureds & Cargo Owners

We help you navigate the complexities of your insurance policies and protect your assets. Our surveys ensure you are compliant with policy warranties, and our expertise in areas like perishable cargo helps prevent losses in the first place. By working with us, you demonstrate a commitment to risk management that is valued by the underwriting community.

We are open to partnerships with all stakeholders, adjusting firms, and equally minded partners like you. Together, we can elevate industry standards and deliver unparalleled service.

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.