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Ship Draft Surveyors & Cargo Control Africa | Observater Surveys and Services Group
Pan-African Marine Network

SHIP DRAFT SURVEYORS
& CARGO QUANTITY CONTROL

DRAFT SURVEYS SAMPLING & ANALYSIS LOSS CONTROL

Operating to International Standards

ISO 9001:2015
UN ECE/Energy/1992
ASTM / API Standards
ISO Sampling Protocols

The Independent Lab Advantage

In the world of high-value commodities, Data Integrity is paramount. Observater Surveys and Services Group operates on a model of Absolute Neutrality by strictly separating the role of the Surveyor from the Analyst. We utilize accredited third-party laboratories to ensure that every result is unbiased and free from internal conflict of interest.

Chain of Custody

We draw the sample, split it, and seal it with tamper-proof security seals on board. We maintain strict custody until delivery to an ISO 17025 Accredited partner lab.

Witnessing Analysis

Our surveyor remains present at the laboratory to witness the testing process, ensuring that ISO, ASTM, and Contractual Specifications are rigorously followed.

Loss Prevention & Liability

P&I Clubs & Ship Owners

We act as your dedicated correspondent and surveyor, protecting the Member’s interests against cargo claims and operational liabilities.

Pre-Entry Condition Surveys: Documenting rusty/damaged steel cargo before loading to prevent discharge claims.
Hose & Chalk Testing: Certifying watertightness of hatch covers using physical pressure testing protocols.
Silver Nitrate Testing: Immediate on-site testing to distinguish between fresh water (rain/sweat) and sea water ingress.
Hatch Sealing: Application of high-security seals upon completion of loading to prevent theft/contamination.
Draft Survey Defense: Protecting the vessel against “paper shortages” by shore scales.
Bunker Disputes: Investigating quality (sludge/water) and quantity disputes during stemming.
Hull & Machinery: Assessing damage from collisions, groundings, or stevedore negligence.
Stevedore Damage Reports: Documenting grab damage to tank tops/coamings and issuing Letters of Protest (LOP).
Heavy Lift Supervision: Monitoring the loading of Project Cargo to ensure deck strength compliance.
Lashing Approval: Verifying securing arrangements meet the Cargo Securing Manual (CSM).
Pollution Investigation: Sampling and evidence gathering for oil spill allegations.
Stowage Advice: Assisting the Master with stability and segregation of dangerous goods (IMDG).
Cargo Contamination: Investigating cross-contamination of liquid cargoes or bulk grains.
Tally Verification: Independent tally to counter shortage claims at discharge.
Unseaworthiness Defense: Collecting evidence to prove due diligence was exercised by the crew.
Container Damage: Investigating cause of loss for containerized cargo (sweat vs ingress).
Commercial Optimization

Charterers & Commodity Traders

Protecting your commercial interests from On-Hire to Off-Hire. Ensuring you get what you paid for, and only pay for what you use.

On-Hire Condition Survey: Documenting pre-existing damage to holds/hull to avoid liability at redelivery.
On-Hire ROB Bunker Survey: Precise measurement of Fuel Oil/Diesel Oil to establish the charter baseline.
Off-Hire ROB Bunker Survey: Verifying remaining fuel to ensure correct final settlement.
Bunker Detective (221B): Finding hidden fuel (magic pipes, non-declared tanks) to prevent fuel theft.
Draft Survey (Initial/Final): Determining bill of lading weight independent of shore scales.
Hold Cleanliness (Grain): Inspecting for infestation, rust scale, and residues to prevent cargo rejection.
Hold Cleanliness (Mineral): Ensuring holds are “Normal Clean” for Coal/Ore to avoid cleaning delays.
Off-Spec Cargo: Sampling and rejecting cargo at the rail that does not meet contract specs (moisture/grade).
Laytime Support: Independent Statement of Facts (SOF) to dispute demurrage/dispatch claims.
Crane Performance: Monitoring grab cycles and breakdown times to validate performance warranties.
Speed & Consumption: Analyzing logbooks to verify vessel performance against charter party guarantees.
Sludge/Slops Disposal: Verifying quantities discharged to prevent overcharging by the vessel.
Cargo Tally: 24/7 hook-side tally for bagged rice, sugar, and cement.
Sealing: Witnessing sealing of holds and manholes to protect high-value cargo.
Liquid Cargo Reconciliation: Shore tank vs. Vessel figure analysis (OBQ/ROB) for oil traders.
Bunker Quality: Drip sampling during bunkering to ensure ISO 8217 compliance.
Risk & Claims Management

Marine Insurers & Underwriters

Mitigating risk before the voyage and investigating loss after the fact. We provide the technical facts for claims settlement.

Risk Assessment: Evaluating port facilities, warehouses, and transport routes for theft/damage risks.
Warehouse Inspection: Checking fire safety, stacking, roof integrity, and pest control systems.
Loading Supervision: Preventing rough handling of Project Cargo/Machinery to minimize breakage risk.
Lashing Surveys: Certifying that cargo is secured against sea perils (accelerations/heavy weather).
Discharge Supervision: Differentiating between pre-shipment damage and stevedore damage at destination.
Damage Investigation: Determining the proximate cause of loss (Proximate Cause Analysis).
Root Cause Analysis: Investigating systemic failures (e.g., recurring wet damage in specific containers).
Theft Investigation: Verifying seal integrity and investigating pilferage along transit routes.
Salvage Sales: Organizing competitive tenders for damaged goods to minimize the final claim payout.
Quantum Assessment: Calculating the exact extent of loss (e.g., sorting sound vs damaged bags).
General Average: Assisting adjusters with cargo valuation and condition during GA events.
Reefer Breakdown: Analyzing data logger charts to verify temperature maintenance during voyage.
Subrogation Support: Providing technical reports to support recovery actions against carriers.
Packing Surveys: Verifying export packing adequacy for heavy machinery.
Project Cargo Warranty: Marine Warranty Surveys (MWS) for critical high-value movements.
Goods in Transit (GIT): Accident scene attendance and transshipment supervision.
Trade Finance Security

Banks & Financiers

Securing the physical collateral behind your loans. We provide legal control and visibility over financed commodities.

Collateral Management (CMA): Taking full legal possession of the warehouse and keys.
Stock Monitoring (SMA): Periodic independent verification of inventory levels against ledgers.
Spot Checks: Unannounced visits to verify the existence and condition of pledged assets.
Warehouse Vetting: Audit of facility suitability (security, insurance, condition) before funding.
Discharge Supervision: Verifying the quantity received into the warehouse from the vessel.
Quality Monitoring: Regular sampling to ensure goods (e.g., grain) are not deteriorating in storage.
Release Control: Releasing goods only upon written instruction (Release Order) from the Bank.
Fraud Prevention: Detecting “sandwich stacking” and empty cartons in warehouses.
Tank Dipping: Verifying fuel volume in shore tanks for energy financing.
Security Guards: Deployment of 24/7 uniformed guards to secure pledged assets.
Seal Management: Application and tracking of high-security seals on warehouse doors.
Daily Reporting: Daily Stock Position Reports (DSPR) for real-time visibility.
Insurance Validation: Checking that storage conditions meet policy warranties.
Export Supervision: Monitoring the loading of financed exports to ensure repayment.
Logistics Tracking: Monitoring movement of goods between port and warehouse.
Price Verification: confirming quality grade to value the collateral accurately.
Archimedes Principle Applied

High-Precision Draft Surveys

What is the Draft Survey Protocol?

The Draft Survey is a method of calculating the weight of cargo loaded or discharged by measuring the change in the vessel’s water displacement. It involves: 1. Reading draft marks at 6 points. 2. Correcting for Trim, List, and Hull Deflection (Hog/Sag). 3. Measuring harbor water density. 4. Sounding all consumable tanks (Ballast, Fuel, Water). The result determines the Bill of Lading weight.

Step-by-Step Procedure

  1. Read Drafts: Forward, Midship, and Aft on both Port and Starboard sides.
  2. Sample Density: Using a certified glass hydrometer to measure water specific gravity at the draft depth.
  3. Sound Tanks: Measuring all ballast, fuel, and fresh water tanks to calculate “Deductible Weights”.
  4. Calculate: Using the vessel’s Hydrostatic Tables to determine displacement.
  5. Net Weight: (Final Displacement – Initial Displacement) – (Consumables Used) = Cargo Quantity.

Common Stowage Factors (Africa Trade)

Commodity Stowage Factor (ft³/mt) Risk Factor
Iron Ore 11 – 14 Liquefaction (TML)
Heavy Grain (Wheat) 42 – 45 Moisture / Heat
Coal 40 – 48 Spontaneous Combustion
Fertilizer (Urea) 48 – 52 Caking / Water Damage

Bunker Detective Surveys

Finding the fuel the Chief Engineer tries to hide. We save Charterers an average of $15,000 per survey.

The Detective Checklist

  • Magic Pipes: Tracing unauthorized piping in the engine room.
  • Short Sounding Pipes: Detecting tampered sounding devices.
  • Cappuccino Effect: Testing for air-entrained fuel (froth).
  • Non-Declared Tanks: Investigating void spaces and overflow tanks.
  • Temperature Manipulation: Verifying tank temps locally vs CCR.
  • Density Verification: Lab testing samples vs Bunker Delivery Note (BDN).

Petroleum Quantity

Custody transfer for Crude Oil, Gasoline, and Diesel.

How is Oil Quantity Calculated?

We follow ASTM / API Standards: 1. Ullaging: Measuring empty space in tank using UTI tapes. 2. Temperature: Measuring average temp (Top/Middle/Bottom). 3. VCF: Applying Volume Correction Factors (Table 54A/B) to convert to Standard Volume at 15°C or 60°F. 4. WCF: Converting volume to weight (Metric Tons) using density.

Hatch Cover Integrity & Sealing

Preventing water ingress and contamination.

Inspection Protocol

Ensuring cargo remains dry is non-negotiable. We conduct detailed physical inspections of the vessel’s closing appliances to detect potential leak points before the voyage begins.

  1. Rubber Gaskets: Checking packing for hardness, cracks, or missing sections that could allow water entry.
  2. Compression Bars: Verifying straightness and proper steel-to-rubber contact along the coaming.
  3. Cross-Joints: Inspecting the critical intersection points between panels for gaps or misalignment.
  4. Drainage: Ensuring non-return valves and drain channels are free of debris to allow water runoff.
  5. Sealing: Applying high-security Padlocks or Bolt Seals upon completion to guarantee chain of custody.

Cargo Tally & Supervision

The “Eyes on the Quay” for Break-Bulk and Bagged Cargo.

For cargo that cannot be measured by draft (Bagged Rice, Steel Coils, Vehicles), we provide 24/7 hook-side tallying. Teams operate in 12-hour shifts per hatch.

  • Live Tally: Recording every sling/bundle as it crosses the rail.
  • Damage Segregation: Identifying torn bags or rusty steel before it lands on the truck/quay.
  • Daily Outturn Report: A precise daily count reconciling against the manifest.

The Cost of Skipping Inspection

Why the world’s biggest traders choose independent verification.

Risk Scenario Consequence without Survey The Observater Solution
Water Ingress Total cargo loss. Insurance claim denied due to “Unseaworthiness”. Hatch Hose Test before loading proves vessel was tight.
Shore Scale Error Paying for 50,000 MT when only 48,500 MT was loaded. ($400k+ Loss). Draft Survey provides legal weight based on displacement, overriding shore scales.
Hidden Fuel Charterer pays for 300MT fuel that the owner hid ($180k+ Loss). Bunker Detective Survey finds hidden tanks and magic pipes.
Pre-Existing Damage Receiver claims $50k for rusty steel that was already rusty at loading. Pre-Loading Condition Survey documents rust with photos before shipment.

The Observater Difference

We are not just inspectors; we are Mariners. Our team is led by Ex-Sea Captains and Chief Engineers who understand the tricks of the trade. We speak the language of the crew and the language of the boardroom.

Master Mariners Chief Engineers Naval Architects

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the accuracy of a Draft Survey?

Under ideal conditions, a draft survey should have an accuracy of +/- 0.5% of the total cargo quantity. Factors like swell, vessel age (hydrostatic table accuracy), and trim can affect this.

Do you cover all African ports?

Yes, we have an operational network covering all major ports including Richards Bay, Durban, Maputo, Beira, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Djibouti, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Tema, Abidjan, Conakry, and Dakar.

Can you perform underwater hull inspections?

Yes, we coordinate with certified diving teams to perform underwater hull inspections and propeller polishing, supervised by our marine surveyors.

Anywhere you go in Africa, we are already there.

Our Experienced Marine and Cargo Surveyors provide comprehensive Draft Surveys, Cargo Tally, Discharge Supervision, Loss Control, and Damage Prevention services. We maintain a strategic presence in every major port listed below, ensuring that from Bunker Quantity Surveys to complex P&I Investigations, our local experts are ready to protect your commercial interests.

Southern

West Africa

North Africa

East & Islands

Global Network & Capacity

Our reach extends far beyond the continent. Observater Surveys and Services Group possesses the capacity to mobilize attendance for Loading Inspections at any port in over 70 countries, spanning Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. We secure your commercial interests at the point of origin globally, while our core teams stand ready to execute rigorous Discharge Surveys upon arrival across Africa, guaranteeing end-to-end chain of custody.

Live Port Operations & Updates

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24/7 Dispatch. Master Mariners. Pan-African Coverage.

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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