Marine & aviation cargo surveys
Cargo integrity from origin
to destination, across West Africa's trade routes
Independent pre-shipment, loading, discharge and damage surveys protecting the interests of shippers, underwriters, shipowners and P&I clubs - at every berth, anchorage and warehouse from Lagos to the Gulf of Guinea.
06°27'N 003°23'E - LAGOS PILOTAGE - WAT (UTC+1) - 24HR ATTENDANCE
Cargo we survey
Every mode of stowage, one evidence chain
01
Containerised
Seal integrity, container condition and out-turn counts at terminal gates and CFS yards.
02
Breakbulk
Piece counts, slinging and stowage oversight for bagged, crated and unitised cargo.
03
Bulk
Draft surveys and hold inspections for grain, fertiliser, minerals and liquid bulk.
04
Reefer
Temperature set-point verification, unit checks and cold-chain evidence on discharge.
Survey types
The manifest
Five survey families cover the life of a shipment and the disputes that follow it. Tell us where your cargo is in its journey and we will put the right surveyor on it.
P&I & club work
When something goes wrong at sea, the clock starts immediately
Crew injury, cargo liability, collision or pollution: we attend for owners and their P&I clubs across the Gulf of Guinea, secure the evidence while it is still there, and report in the format clubs expect. Emergency attendances can often be arranged the same day.
Request emergency attendance24hr
Lagos port attendance target
Same day
Emergency damage cases, often
5+
West African ports on standing routes
1 chain
Of evidence, from loading to out-turn
Common questions
Marine survey FAQs
Q01
Which ports and terminals do you cover?
We attend all Lagos ports including Apapa and Tin Can Island, Onne, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri, and we travel across West Africa, from Lome and Tema to Abidjan and Douala. Offshore and anchorage attendances in the Gulf of Guinea can be arranged with reasonable notice.
Q02
What is a draft survey and when is it needed?
A draft survey measures a vessel's draughts before and after loading to calculate cargo weight independently of shore figures. It is used for bulk cargoes such as grain, fertiliser and minerals, and it protects both shipper and receiver in the event of a shortage claim.
Q03
There is damage on discharge. What should we do first?
Call us before the cargo is moved or released. Early attendance preserves the evidence: photographs, packaging, stowage condition and container seals. We attend out-turn surveys at Lagos terminals, quantify the loss and prepare a report your insurer or P&I club can act on.
Q04
What does a P&I survey involve?
A protection and indemnity survey investigates incidents that may create liability for the shipowner: cargo damage, crew injury, collision or pollution. We attend on behalf of owners and their P&I clubs, gather evidence on the spot and report in the format the clubs expect.
Q05
How fast can a marine surveyor attend?
For Lagos ports we aim to attend within 24 hours of instruction, often the same day for discharge and damage cases. Outstation and cross-border attendances depend on travel, but we confirm an attendance time before you commit, day or night.
Cargo moving? Put a surveyor on it.
Send the vessel, cargo and terminal details and we will confirm attendance - for Lagos ports, usually within the day.
Instruct a survey