Cargo Loading & Unloading Supervision
A variety of activities combine to conduct this inspection and one inspection may differ from the other due to type of commodity, mode of packaging (Bulk or individual pack) and shipper/buyer contract.
In case of export consignments container/hatch inspection is the initial action to ensure that they are clean and in suitable condition for cargo in hand. Depending on the product being shipped, verifying volume of space is essential to ensure that specified passages are provided for ingress/egress and airflow. If specified, fumigation and post fumigation exercise to be verified.
However, the following sequence is almost invariably conducted in import/export consignments:
- Checking to verify intact seal on container, seal number and if shipper or customs seal
- Supervision of weighment of full/empty containers
- Verification & Certification of product
- Sampling / testing for quality certification
- Tallying and random quality check
- Loss Prevention surveillance during handling and transportation
- Ensure that shipping marks are visible in good condition for easy identification at time of discharge.
- Supervision of loading and discharge Operations
- Cargo Damage Surveys
Steel products and line pipes are particularly prone to damage which may result in a claim against the shipper. Hence special care is taken to ensure that cargo is not damaged during loading and stacked in such manner that it would arrive in good condition. For these reasons it is common practice for buyers to appoint a surveyor with relevant experience to inspect such cargo prior to loading. While loading on trucks at shippers mill/warehouse and at the port during loading on the vessel.