A cargo damage or outturn survey records the condition and quantity of cargo actually delivered, compared against the bill of lading and the loading condition. Whoever needs the evidence appoints and pays — usually the cargo interest or their underwriter for a claim, and the owner or club for a defence.
Who appoints and who pays
| Party | Why they instruct | What they need from the report |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo receiver / buyer | To prove loss or damage | Quantity shortfall, damage extent, condition record, value basis |
| Cargo underwriter | To assess and settle a claim | Causation, quantum, recovery prospects against the carrier |
| Shipowner / P&I club | To defend the claim | Evidence that carriage was proper: stowage, ventilation, hatch integrity, pre-shipment condition |
| Charterer | Charterparty exposure | Whether the damage falls to owner or charterer |
| Terminal / stevedore | To defend handling allegations | Condition before and after handling |
Joint survey — the practical arrangement
It is entirely normal for two or three surveyors to attend the same discharge, each instructed by a different party. Findings are recorded jointly, each party reserves its position, and the parties avoid arguing about facts later because they observed them together. Insist on joint attendance rather than accepting the other side’s report.
Reading damage patterns
| Pattern | Usual cause |
|---|---|
| Staining from the top down, worst on upper tiers | Hatch cover or deck leakage |
| Wetting concentrated at the ship’s side and in the wings | Condensation, sweat, inadequate ventilation |
| Crush damage on lower tiers only | Stow height and inadequate dunnage |
| Chafe and abrasion on outer packages | Movement in the stow, insufficient securing |
| Uniform damage across the whole parcel with no gradient | Usually pre-shipment — inspect the loading record |
| Damage confined to one hold | Localised defect: that hatch, that bilge, that ventilator |
What we do at discharge
- Photograph the stow before it is disturbed.
- Record hatch cover, coaming, ventilator and bilge condition.
- Take moisture readings or temperature profiles as the commodity requires.
- Tally where quantity is disputed, independently of the terminal count.
- Take sealed samples with chain-of-custody records.
- Obtain and copy the ventilation record, the stowage plan and the mate’s receipts.
- Separate fact from opinion explicitly in the report.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for a cargo survey?
The party who instructs it. Costs may be recovered later as part of the claim, but they are paid up front by whoever needs the evidence.
Can I claim if I did not survey at discharge?
You can, but it is much harder. Once the cargo has left the terminal, causation becomes arguable and the carrier will say the damage happened after delivery.
Do you survey containerised cargo?
Yes — container condition, seal integrity, stow position, reefer temperature logs and the cargo itself once devanned.