Knowledge Centre
Guides, checklists and explainers on supervision, surveys and port operations.
Articles on Loading and Discharge Supervision
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What Is a Hold Inspection and How Is It Carried Out Before Loading?
A hold inspection confirms that a vessel's cargo holds are clean, dry and fit for the intended cargo before loading starts. This guide covers the inspection steps and the cleanliness standards used in practice.
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What Is a Statement of Facts and How Does It Drive Laytime and Demurrage?
The statement of facts records every significant event of a port call with dates and times. Laytime and demurrage calculations are built directly on it.
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Mate's Receipts and B/L Clausing: Clean vs Claused Bills of Lading
A remark about cargo condition made during loading can pass from the mate's receipt onto the bill of lading. This article explains how B/L clausing happens and why it matters.
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8 Common Mistakes in Ship Loading and Discharge and How to Avoid Them
A large share of cargo claims and demurrage disputes start with simple mistakes made during the operation. Here are eight of the most common and how to prevent them.
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Cargo Damage Found at Discharge: What Should You Do Step by Step?
Damage spotted during discharge can turn into a hard-to-prove claim if the right steps are not taken in the first hours. This guide walks through them in order.
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Articles on Draft Survey
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What Is a Draft Survey and How Is It Carried Out Step by Step?
A draft survey determines the weight of cargo on board from the vessel's draught. This guide explains the principle and the practical steps in the order they happen.
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How Is a Draft Survey Calculated? Trim, Deflection and Density Corrections
Observed draughts are never entered straight into the tables; they pass through a series of corrections first. This article walks through each stage of the calculation and the terms involved.
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What Are the Most Common Draft Survey Errors and How Can They Be Avoided?
Most discrepancies in draft survey results trace back to a handful of recurring mistakes. Here we look at each of them and at practical ways to prevent them on site.
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Draft Survey vs Shore Scale: What Is the Difference?
Bulk cargo quantities are established either from the vessel by draft survey or ashore by weighing. This article compares the two methods by principle, strengths and limitations.
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Preparing for a Draft Survey: A Checklist for Ship's Officers and Cargo Interests
The accuracy of a draft survey depends heavily on what happens before the surveyor boards. Here is a practical checklist for the crew, agents and cargo interests.
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Articles on Pre-Loading Survey
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What Is a Pre-Loading Survey and Why Is It Carried Out?
A pre-loading survey records the apparent condition of cargo before it is loaded. This article explains the purpose of the survey and where it fits in maritime trade.
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How Do You Tell the Different Types of Rust on Steel Cargo Apart?
Not all rust on steel cargo means the same thing. This article explains the rust types surveyors encounter during pre-loading surveys and how they are distinguished.
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What Is Bill of Lading Clausing and How Is It Done for Steel Cargo?
Remarks entered on the bill of lading for steel cargo can be decisive in later damage disputes. This article explains the clausing process and what makes a good remark.
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Pre-Loading Survey Checklist: Inspecting Steel Cargo Step by Step
We have put together a step-by-step checklist of what is inspected on coils, plates, rebar and pipes during a pre-loading survey, from preparation to the final report.
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Pre-Loading Survey vs Pre-Shipment Inspection: What Is the Difference?
Despite their similar names, a pre-loading survey and a pre-shipment inspection answer different questions. This article compares the two side by side.
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Articles on Container Loading and Discharge Supervision
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What Is VGM (Verified Gross Mass)? The SOLAS Rule Explained
Since 2016, packed export containers may not be loaded without a declared verified gross mass. This article explains the rule, the two methods and the most common mistakes.
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How Is a Container Seal Check Done? Seal Types and Discrepancies
Because the inside of a container is rarely seen, the seal is the key indicator of integrity each time the box changes hands. This article explains how a seal check is done.
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Container Damage Inspection: Damage Types and a Field Checklist
Damage caused during handling may never be traced if it is not recorded on the spot. This article lists what to check on the outside of a container.
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What Is a Bay Plan and How Do You Read It?
A bay plan pins down every container's position on board with a six-digit code. This article explains how to read that code and what drives a container stowage plan.
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Reefer, Open Top and Flat Rack Containers: What Needs Checking?
Special containers carry different risks from standard dry boxes. This article covers what to watch for in reefer, open top and flat rack operations.
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Articles on Supercargo Services
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What Is a Supercargo? Duties, Authority and Responsibilities
A supercargo represents the cargo owner or charterer during port operations. Here is what the role involves, where its authority ends and how it evolved.
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Which Documents Does a Supercargo Check? Mate's Receipt, Tally and Bill of Lading
Mate's receipts, tally sheets and stowage plans form the basis of the bill of lading. Here is what a supercargo looks for in each of them.
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How Is Parcel Separation Done on Mixed Cargo Shipments?
When parcels for several receivers share one ship, separation and stowage decide how smoothly discharge goes. Methods and common mistakes explained.
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Appointing a Supercargo: Letter of Instruction Checklist
A supercargo is only as effective as the instructions behind them. These are the headings every letter of instruction should cover before the job starts.
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What Does a Supercargo Do on a Project Cargo Shipment?
On heavy and out-of-gauge project cargo, a single mistake is expensive. This is how a supercargo supports the cargo owner from quay to sea.
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Articles on Lashing and Cargo Securing
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What is lashing? The basic principles of securing cargo on board
Lashing keeps cargo from shifting or tipping during the voyage. This guide explains the logic behind cargo securing and the main methods used on board.
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What lashing equipment is used? A guide to chain, wire rope, turnbuckles and web lashings
From chain to polyester webbing, each type of lashing equipment has its place. This guide covers the main items, the MSL concept and what to check before use.
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How is project cargo secured on board? Steps for heavy and oversized units
Transformers, tanks and machinery cannot be secured with standard routines. This article walks through the steps from planning to the final inspection.
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What is a Cargo Securing Manual? How it relates to the CSS Code and CTU Code
The Cargo Securing Manual sets out how cargo is to be secured on a specific ship. Here we explain what it contains and how it fits with the CSS Code and CTU Code.
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How do you inspect lashings before sailing? A step-by-step checklist
The final lashing check is the last chance to fix deficiencies before departure. Here is a practical checklist from equipment condition to record keeping.
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Articles on Tally Services
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What does a tally clerk do? Duties, responsibilities and working practice
A tally clerk counts and records cargo units during loading and discharge. This article explains the role, working practice and documents involved.
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How do you keep a tally sheet? A step-by-step guide to cargo counting records
A well-kept tally sheet is the strongest record in a quantity dispute. Here is how to set one up and fill it in, step by step.
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How are tally and manifest discrepancies resolved? A guide to over and short landed cargo
When the count does not match the manifest, a quick and methodical response is needed. This guide covers the usual causes and the steps to resolve them.
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How is damaged cargo recorded during tally? Damage notes and mate's receipt remarks
Recording damage correctly at the moment of counting can decide who is liable. Here is how to write damage notes and where they end up.
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Tally terms explained: a glossary of common cargo counting terms
Tally records and reports are full of specialist terms. We have gathered the ones you will meet most often, with plain explanations.
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Articles on Port Captain Services
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What Is a Port Captain and What Do They Do?
A port captain plans and coordinates a vessel's cargo operation on behalf of owners or charterers. Here is what the role covers and where it stops.
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Port Captain vs Ship's Master vs Harbour Master: What Is the Difference?
Several port roles carry the word captain and they are often confused. Here is how the port captain, the master and the harbour master really differ.
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What Is a Notice of Readiness and When Does Laytime Start?
The NOR tells charterers the vessel has arrived and is ready to work, and it usually starts the laytime clock. The key concepts explained simply.
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What Is a Statement of Facts and How Should It Be Checked?
The SOF records every event of a port call hour by hour and underpins the laytime calculation. How it is prepared and what to check before signing.
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Before the Vessel Arrives: A Port Captain's Pre-Arrival Checklist
Much of a port call's efficiency is decided before the ship arrives. These are the items a port captain reviews, organised as a practical checklist.
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