Baltic Kontor carries out independent cargo damage surveys in Latvia to document the nature and extent of damage, the condition of the cargo and the circumstances in which the loss occurred. Attendance provides a record for cargo owners, insurers, P&I interests, carriers and other parties involved in a claim. The inspection is shaped by the cargo, the reported incident and the access available at the time.
What a cargo damage survey may include
- Examination of cargo, packaging and accessible cargo spaces.
- Photographs and a record of the location and extent of visible damage.
- Inspection of containers or trailers where relevant.
- Review of handling, stowage and securing where relevant to the loss.
- Loss assessment and sampling where the cargo and instruction require them.
Damage and contamination evidence
Dry bulk and agricultural cargo may be affected by moisture, water ingress, contamination or foreign material. Containerised and ro-ro cargo claims may concern impact, shifted cargo, handling damage or damage to trailers and vehicles. Where laboratory evidence is required for a quality or contamination dispute, cargo samples can be taken, sealed and submitted to an independent laboratory for analysis.
Survey record
The survey record brings together findings, photographs, measurements or observations where relevant, and the documents supplied with the instruction. For damage to the vessel or port facility itself, see marine damage surveys.