What types of cargo do you survey?

We survey all cargo types including bulk commodities, liquid cargoes, heavy-lift and project cargo, machinery and engines, manufactured goods, and general cargo. West Marine Survey is experienced across the full range of cargo categories carried by commercial vessels.

What is a cargo damage survey?

A cargo damage survey is an independent inspection carried out when cargo is found to be damaged on arrival or during discharge. Our surveyor assesses the nature, extent and likely cause of the damage, determines responsibility, and produces a detailed report to support the cargo claim.

What is a pre-loading inspection?

A pre-loading inspection verifies that a vessel's holds, hatch covers, bilges, and securing equipment are in a fit condition to receive the intended cargo before loading begins. It also checks that the cargo itself is in good condition at the point of shipment, establishing a clear baseline for any subsequent damage claim.

What does a sorting and segregation operation involve?

When cargo is partially damaged, sorting operations separate sound goods from damaged ones to minimise the loss and allow undamaged cargo to continue to its destination. Our surveyor supervises and certifies the sorting process, ensuring it is conducted fairly and that the final outturn is accurately documented for the claim.

Who can commission a cargo survey?

Cargo surveys can be commissioned by cargo underwriters, P&I Clubs, shipowners, charterers, freight forwarders, traders, or receivers. We work with all parties in the cargo chain and remain impartial throughout, regardless of who instructs us.

Can you attend at short notice for cargo damage?

Yes. Cargo damage surveys are often time-sensitive — particularly when vessels are on tight port schedules. We are available worldwide 24/7 and can typically be on-site within 24 to 48 hours of your instruction.

Do you cover cargo claims involving machinery and heavy-lift equipment?

Yes. We have specific experience surveying damage to machinery, engines, transformers, and other heavy-lift or project cargo. These claims require both cargo expertise and technical engineering knowledge — West Marine Survey brings both, and can assess whether damage occurred during sea transit, handling, or as a result of poor stowage and securing.

Our Services

Cargo Surveys

Independent cargo surveys across all cargo types — from pre-loading inspections to post-incident damage assessment, sorting and loss mitigation.

Request a Survey

Cargo claims are among the most frequent and varied in maritime insurance. Whether damage is discovered on arrival, during discharge, or at the point of delivery, establishing its nature, extent and cause requires immediate, expert attendance. West Marine Survey provides independent cargo surveys for all cargo types — from bulk commodities and liquid cargoes to heavy-lift machinery and manufactured goods — with the speed and impartiality that cargo claims demand.

Our Cargo Survey Services

Cargo Damage Assessment

When cargo arrives damaged or deteriorated, an immediate independent survey is essential to establish the facts. West Marine Survey inspects the cargo, assesses the nature and extent of damage, identifies the likely cause — whether from sea water ingress, condensation, contamination, rough handling, or inadequate stowage — and produces a detailed report that clearly supports the cargo claim and attributes responsibility where possible.

Pre-Loading Inspections

Preventing cargo damage begins before the cargo is loaded. Our pre-loading inspections verify that vessel holds, bilges, hatch covers, and cargo securing equipment are in suitable condition to receive the intended cargo. We also inspect the cargo itself at the point of shipment, establishing a clear outturn condition that protects all parties if damage is later discovered on arrival.

Sorting, Segregation & Loss Mitigation

Where cargo is only partially damaged, prompt sorting and segregation can significantly reduce the overall loss. We supervise and certify sorting operations — separating sound goods from damaged ones — and provide the documentation needed to confirm the final outturn and support the insurance claim. Our involvement helps minimise recoverable loss and ensures the process is conducted transparently and fairly.

Post-Incident Assessments

Following a maritime incident — whether a casualty, grounding, fire, or collision — cargo on board may be affected in ways that are not immediately apparent. We conduct post-incident cargo assessments to determine the condition of cargo following the event, identify any secondary damage caused by salvage or firefighting operations, and provide the technical basis for cargo claims arising from the incident.

Machinery & Heavy-Lift Cargo

Damage to machinery, engines, transformers, and other project cargo requires both cargo expertise and engineering knowledge. West Marine Survey is experienced in assessing damage to complex technical equipment — determining whether damage occurred during sea transit, port handling, or as a result of inadequate stowage or securing — and providing the expert analysis that insurers and legal teams need to resolve these high-value claims.

How We Work

01
Prompt Attendance
Cargo claims are time-sensitive. We mobilise 24/7 — available worldwide, typically on-site within 24 to 48 hours.
02
Inspection & Evidence
Thorough inspection of the cargo, hold condition, hatch covers, and all relevant factors — with full photographic and written documentation.
03
Sorting & Mitigation
Where applicable, we supervise sorting and segregation operations to minimise the loss and document the final outturn condition.
04
Survey Report
A detailed, impartial report with findings, cause analysis, photographic evidence, and outturn figures — ready for underwriters and legal proceedings.

Who We Work With

Our cargo survey services are commissioned by the full range of parties in the cargo chain. Cargo underwriters rely on us for independent damage assessment and loss quantification. P&I Clubs engage us when cargo claims involve shipowner liability. Shipowners and charterers request pre-loading inspections to protect themselves against unfounded damage claims. Freight forwarders, traders and receivers call on us when cargo arrives in damaged condition and a clear, independent assessment is needed. We work impartially regardless of who instructs us — our obligation is always to an accurate account of the facts.

We survey cargo on all vessel types: bulk carriers, container ships, tankers, RoRo vessels, general cargo vessels, heavy-lift ships, and barges.

Recent Assignments

Ultrasonic hatch cover tightness test
Damage to chemical — oil terminal
Collision — fishing vessel

View more assignments →

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of cargo do you survey?: We survey all cargo types including bulk commodities, liquid cargoes, heavy-lift and project cargo, machinery and engines, manufactured goods, and general cargo. West Marine Survey is experienced across the full range of cargo categories carried by commercial vessels.
What is a cargo damage survey?: A cargo damage survey is an independent inspection carried out when cargo is found to be damaged on arrival or during discharge. Our surveyor assesses the nature, extent and likely cause of the damage, determines responsibility, and produces a detailed report to support the cargo claim.
What is a pre-loading inspection?: A pre-loading inspection verifies that a vessel's holds, hatch covers, bilges, and securing equipment are in a fit condition to receive the intended cargo before loading begins. It also checks that the cargo itself is in good condition at the point of shipment, establishing a clear baseline for any subsequent damage claim.
What does a sorting and segregation operation involve?: When cargo is partially damaged, sorting operations separate sound goods from damaged ones to minimise the loss and allow undamaged cargo to continue to its destination. Our surveyor supervises and certifies the sorting process, ensuring it is conducted fairly and that the final outturn is accurately documented for the claim.
Who can commission a cargo survey?: Cargo surveys can be commissioned by cargo underwriters, P&I Clubs, shipowners, charterers, freight forwarders, traders, or receivers. We work with all parties in the cargo chain and remain impartial throughout, regardless of who instructs us.
Can you attend at short notice for cargo damage?: Yes. Cargo damage surveys are often time-sensitive — particularly when vessels are on tight port schedules. We are available worldwide 24/7 and can typically be on-site within 24 to 48 hours of your instruction.
Do you cover claims involving machinery and heavy-lift cargo?: Yes. We have specific experience surveying damage to machinery, engines, transformers, and other heavy-lift or project cargo. These claims require both cargo expertise and technical engineering knowledge — West Marine Survey brings both, and can assess whether damage occurred during sea transit, handling, or as a result of poor stowage and securing.

Geographic Coverage

French Atlantic Coast.
Available Worldwide.

Based in Nantes and served by an international airport, our primary service area covers the French Atlantic seaboard from Brest to Bayonne. We deploy worldwide 24/7 upon request.