In many instances loading operations commence immediately upon the vessel’s arrival, so that there is no time for the ship’s personnel to inspect the cargo prior to it being loading. It is also not unusual that the complement of a vessel has never previously had to follow the loading of a intended cargo, thus putting it at a considerable disadvantage with regard to the formulation of adequate damage clauses when discussing such defects with shippers specialising in such cargoes. Further to the ship’s officers probably will not be familiar with the systems of marking and identifying the various parcels of cargo which are involved, because such systems vary from port to port. In consequence of the foregoing it has become customary for ship owners, managers and/or charterers to appoint a competent local surveyor, experienced in pre-shipment survey work, to inspect cargoes prior to their shipment and during loading.

West Africa Underwater Service Limited performs pre-shipment Survey (inspection) of all types of cargo. After completion of the survey we give suitable descriptive clauses relating to any visible damages of goods, physical defects, structural abnormalities that might be construed by the third parties as defects which develop after shipment. Our surveyors are sufficiently competent to have his terms of reference extended, if necessary, to permit his intervention with reference to stowage problems and any other subjects giving rise to disputes which can develop during the course of loading.