Pre-Loading Survey Checklist: Inspecting Steel Cargo Step by Step

For the work on site to run smoothly, the surveyor needs to know the cargo in advance. Inspecting without a cargo list makes it hard to identify items correctly in the report.

The inspection begins with the surroundings rather than the cargo itself. The condition of the ground, whether cargo is in direct contact with soil or standing water, whether dunnage or skids are used and whether it is covered with tarpaulins are all noted.

Recent rainfall and proximity to the sea are recorded too. This gives important context if the origin of rust or wetting is disputed later.

Where possible, note how the cargo reached the port, for instance by truck, rail or barge. Cargo carried in the open or exposed to rain on the way may already have been wetted before it reached the stacking area, and that history helps explain what is found on inspection.

Coils are among the most sensitive steel products. Edge damage and packing defects matter both visually and for the usability of the material.

On plates, the surveyor looks for bent corners and edges, surface scratches and moisture traces between packs. On rebar and sections, bundles are checked for bending, the security of ties and the legibility of bundle tags.

On pipes, damaged ends, missing end protectors, coating damage on coated pipe and signs of ovality are recorded. For every product, the type and extent of rust are described separately.

On bundled plates and sections, chafing marks caused by packs rubbing together in transit and crushing at the tie points are noted separately. On long products, it is also worth checking whether bundles have been lifted with chains or slings in a way that has already left marks or bends.

Photographs are the strongest evidence in the report, but their value drops if they are taken haphazardly. For each defective item, take an overall view first, then the item number or label, and finally a close-up of the defect.

Using a reference for scale and filing photographs against item numbers makes the report much easier to review later. Correct date and time settings on the camera also matter.

Findings are classified by item and defect type: rust, wetting, mechanical damage, packing defects and missing marks. This shows clearly which items may need to be claused.

Significant findings are passed to the master, the agent and the instructing party before loading begins. Giving the shipper the chance to replace or set aside defective items reduces last-minute disputes.

Summarising findings in a short table by defect type and item number helps the master and agent reach decisions on remarks quickly, without having to work through the full photographic record during loading.

The report records the date and place of inspection, the items inspected, the method used (full inspection or sampling), storage conditions, the item-by-item defect list, the photographic appendix and, where requested, suggested remarks. Limitations, such as lower tiers of coils that could not be reached, should be stated clearly.

Karan Gözetim provides pre-loading surveys from its base in Gemlik; the inspection method and report content are agreed with the parties at quotation stage.