Cleanliness & Suitability Verification
Pre-loading suitability of cargo spaces is vital to avoid contamination claims and cargo rejection. A thorough inspection of vessel holds, hatches, and cargo spaces before loading ensures that your valuable commodities are protected from the moment they enter the vessel.
GSI's experienced marine surveyors conduct comprehensive inspections to verify that cargo spaces meet the stringent requirements for agricultural and food-grade commodities, protecting both charterers and cargo owners from costly disputes and quality claims.
Inspection Procedures Include
- Visual cleanliness surveys of holds, tanks and containers
- Verification of previous cargo compatibility
- Hatch cover tightness testing where required
- Moisture and odour checks
- Structural integrity screening
We Certify That
Our vessel inspection certificates provide documented assurance that cargo spaces have been thoroughly examined and meet the required standards for your specific cargo type and trade requirements.
Cargo Space
Fitness
Cargo spaces are fit to receive sensitive agricultural and food-grade commodities, free from contamination risks and residues from previous cargoes.
Charter Party
Compliance
Cleanliness and suitability comply with charter party requirements, ensuring vessels meet contractual obligations before loading commences.
Insurance Requirements Met
Documentation satisfies insurance requirements, providing evidence of proper pre-loading inspection that protects your cargo coverage and claims position.
Frequently asked questions
Our vessel hold inspection includes visual examination of all cargo spaces for cleanliness, residues from previous cargo, rust, scale, paint flaking, structural damage, and any contamination sources. We also check bilge wells, ladders, ventilation systems, and any areas where cargo could be affected by moisture or foreign materials.
We review the vessel's cargo history through ship's documents and examine holds for any residual traces of previous cargoes. For sensitive commodities like food-grade products, we verify that previous cargoes were compatible and that adequate cleaning has been performed. Certain cargo sequences may require additional cleaning or rejection of the vessel.
Hatch cover tightness testing verifies that hatch covers seal properly to prevent water ingress during the voyage. We can perform ultrasonic testing or hose testing depending on requirements. This is critical for protecting cargo from rain and sea water damage, particularly for moisture-sensitive commodities like grain and sugar.
Vessel inspection should be conducted after the vessel has completed cleaning and before loading commences. This timing allows for any deficiencies to be addressed before cargo operations begin. For time-sensitive shipments, we can arrange inspections on vessel arrival or during the night shift to avoid delays.
If deficiencies are found, we document them in detail with photographs and issue a conditional report specifying required remedial actions. We can re-inspect after cleaning or repairs to confirm the vessel meets requirements. Our reports provide clear evidence for charterers to address issues with vessel owners before loading.
Yes, we provide cleanliness and suitability inspections for all types of cargo transport including shipping containers, river barges, rail wagons, and road trucks. Each transport mode has specific requirements and our inspectors are trained to assess suitability for the intended cargo type and trade route.
