Synergies in marine cargo surveying

GnananandaMayamDevamNirmala Spatika
KruthimAadharamSarva Vidyanam Hayagrivam
PRESENTED BY T.S.SHRINIVAASAN OF MAR-TECH
INSURANCE SURVEYORS & LOSS
ASSESSORS PVT. LTD.,
Upasmahe!
Meaning: I meditate the lord of Hayagreeva who is the
personification of knowledge and Happiness, who is very
pure, and who is the basis of all learning

Few words about Kolkata/Bengal
 For those who are foreigners to this country, let me add few words
about this place.
 This land is a mixture of faiths of contradictive nature. i.e Spiritualism
and Communism.
 Kali or Durga Pooja is a famous occasion.
 ISKCON- founder Sri Prabhupada’s spiritual Master Sri. Krishhna
Chaitanya born at Mayapur, 150 kms away from Kolkata.
 Ramakrsihna and his Disciple Vivekandanda were from this place.
 Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore and whose song “Janagana—” is
our National Anthem.
 Till 1911, Kolkata was the Capital of India and for geographical
advantage, it was shifted to New Delhi.
 Though majority of Indians like Cricket, bengalis like Foot Ball much.
 “Rosegalla” made of milk and sugar syrup is a famous sweet.

•What is Synergy?
 Credit goes to Milind who did spade work in designing
Tag word/Logo of this seminar

Some Quotes on Synergy
Wisdom is synergy of mind and
heart.” -Stephen Covey
“Synergy – the bonus that is
achieved when things work
together harmoniously.”
– Mark Twain.

Literal meaning of Synergy
 Surprisingly, word “Synergy” is not figured in Oxford Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary 1991 Edition.
 www.thefreedictionary.com defines the word Synergy as 1. The
interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their
combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual
effects.
 2. Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the
acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that
creates an enhanced combined effect.
 It is derived from Greek term ‘sunergia’ meaning cooperation
and another term ‘ sunergos’ working together.
 Thus Co-operation and Team work may be the meaning of this
term. With this background, let me begin my presentation.

Marine Cargo Surveying – a Team
work effort.
Having spent over 3 decades in Marine
Cargo Surveying, it is my considered
opinion that Marine Cargo Surveying is a
team work effort- like a game of cricket.
 I am going to share with you my experience
gained over these years with you and let me
pardon if you do not find anything
innovative or new concept in my
presentation.

Team work effort
 In the year 1980 or 1981, there was an article published in The Marine Times
jointly authored by a Master Mariner and a Naval Architect. It was highlighting
and stressing that surveying was to done by Master Mariners.
 I have due respect to Master Mariners and in fact learnt nitty-gritty of
surveying from Master Mariners of yester years like Capt. Tomy Rozario, Capt.
Nalin Bhansali, Capt. S.K Sharma.
 After reading the article self and my erstwhile boss Jimmy Rao (a dual class
Marine Engineer) sent a reply to the Marine Times that Cargo surveying was a
team work effort. It was that occasion there was a shipment of DRI(Direct
Reduced Iron) shipment in Vizag which posed great threat to the vessel
loading there and Surveyors run behind the Scientists and Geologists of
Andhra University , Waltair for expert opinion.
 Due to Phyrophoric nature of this cargo, it produces lot of heat when comes in
contact with water or humid air. Hence it is advisable to keep holds under inert
atmosphere (Oxygen less than 5% and Hydrogen less than 1%). Inerting a
ship’s hold by Nitrogen gas is still a challenging task.

Draught Survey.
 Properly conducted Draught Survey takes 2 to 3 Man hours.
 While a senior surveyor indulges in reading drafts, ascertaining
dock water density, junior surveys goes for soundings of fuel,
fresh water and ballast.
 While jetty side drafts are read from wharf, we have to engage a
boat or launch for reading sea side drafts. Reading draft in a
ladder is not only risky but also results in errors of parallax.
 Salinometers have to be regularly calibrated for their correctness.
Measuring tapes have to be checked for their correctness.
 So this survey is a joint venture and co-operation of Surveyors,
Master , Chief Officer, Launch man, Weights & Measures
Calibration Laboratory and last but not least power of eye sight
of Surveyors.

Tanker Survey – Hydro carbons
 A good knowledge of ASTM-IP methods are over emphasized.,
 They keep changing the methods quite often and revise tables.
 VEF , Wedge Formula, ascertaining S & W % , Density at 15%,
tank cleaning methods, tank inspecting methods, Usage of UTIs
are very important.
 Though 0.5% loss is normally permissible, for a 100 thousand
tonnes tanker , it is as high as 500 MT.
 Energy Institute U.K in a study of 3000 voyages account for an
outturn loss of 0.14%.
 So in this survey, it is a joint effort of Surveyors, Ship’s staff,
Analytical Chemist, ASTM-IP regulations and terminal staff.

Tanker Survey - Edible
 Sound knowledge of storage and bulk transportation is
over emphasized.
 We in India get lot of Palm Oil crude and products, Crude
Sun Flower , Crude rapeseed oil etc.
 FOSFA(Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Association)
regulations, heating instructions, various quality
parameters, ship’s and shore line knowledge, accurate
measuring equipments, densities of various cargoes,
knowledge of shore line clearance etc.
 So in this survey, it is a team effort of Surveyor, Ship’s staff,
Analytical chemist, regulatory agency, weights & Measure
Laboratory, Terminal staff.

Tanker Survey - Chemicals
 Home work of particular chemical to be loaded or
discharged.
 Safety precautions, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
 Quality and Quantity determination.
 Knowledge Client’s requirement and Industry standards.
 Milind is taking a separate presentation of Methanol.
 So in this survey, it is a team effort of Surveyor, Ship’s staff,
Analytical chemist, regulatory agency, weights & Measure
Laboratory, Terminal staff, Industry standards etc.

Hatch Survey – Hatch Cover &
Cleanliness of Holds.
 While primitive methods of Hatch covers inspections like
Chalk Test, Light Test and Hose Test are employed, now a
days, most of the P & I Clubs prefer Ultrasonic Leak
Detector.
 So sound knowledge of usage of this equipment is over-emphasized.
Again this equipment is required to be
calibrated annually for its correctness.
 Previous cargo and cargo to be loaded and precautions to
be taken for handling, storage and transportation.
 So in this survey, it is a joint venture of Surveyors, ship’s
staff, Ultrasonic equipment makers, importers and
exporters requirements .

Container Compatibility
 I am from Chennai, a container Hub.
 A freight forwarder gives an exporter’s packing list containing about 100s
of packages and he asks how many units are required. Invariably they
require answer soonest for submitting their quotes.
 While planning manually , it is a mind blogging situation, as we have to
decide whether packages can be stacked or not and if stackable, heavy
weights should go first. Again we should know lifting facility available at
Shipper’s or CFS premises. Of course inner dimensions of various
containers, permissible pay load weight are more important. In the case of
Special Equipments like Flat Rack and Open Tops, whether packages are in
guage and if out-guage to what extent are to be given.
 We are planning to develop a soft ware for this solution taking into account
client’s requirements.
 So in this survey, it is a joint effort of Surveyors, clients, CFS or Shipper’s
facility and software engineer.

Dry Bulk Cargoes
 Client’s requirements.
 If we are required to conduct Out-turn survey, sound
knowledge of cargo, method of handling, weighing scales
used and their correctness, moisture of cargo during
discharge ( for comparison with load mositure, in case of
evaporation ), round the clock supervision. Some receivers
tend to remove trucks from port premises without
weighing, thus claiming from ship or Underwriter.
Surveyors have to keep their eyes and ears open in this kind
of survey.
 So in this survey it is a co-operative venture of Surveyor,
Ship’s staff, importers , port/terminal, weighers, Lab
Chemist etc.

Iron Ore and TML issues.
 Way back in the year 2010, lot of Iron Ore Ships that moved out from
India met with total loss or developing serious list.
 As long as India shipped Iron Ore in lumps, this was not a problem, as
water tend to drain down from the open stacks. However, since Chinese
plants are capable of smelting only fines, this problem of liquefaction
of iron ore became a serious problem, as Iron Ore Fines are normally
stacked in open dump yards. Especially during monsoon, this is a
serious hazard.
 Stack sampling and determination of Flow Moisture Point, TML
(Transportable Moisture Limit) and Total Mositure. Also running
sampling during loading and checking moisture through portable
moisture meter, Can test etc go a long way in accepting cargo or not.
Knowledge of Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes 2004 is
more important.
 Thus in this survey, it is co-operative venture of Surveyors, Ship’s staff,
Shippers, Samplers , Lab Chemist etc.

Dry Salted Hides
 I have a recent case of container shipment of Dry Salted Cow Hides from
Djibouti.
 Container arrived destination in an apparent sound condition with any
deficiency to structural's.
 However, hides upon de-vaning was found to be completely wet. Light test of
container after de-vaning did not show any clues. Transit time and clearance
delay was 46 Days.
 We drew sample and forwarded to CLRI (Central Leather Research Institute)
who opined that dry slated cow hides, if stored for longer periods , tend to give
heat.
 Insured is challenging that they have been importing dry salted hides in
containers without any problems. We eliminated cause such as wetting from
external source, as no alert was received from Masters of Mother Vessel/Feeder
Vessel and container moved/shipped out in sound condition.
 So we conclude wetting might be due to inherent vice or nature.
 Claim is for USD 50000/-
 In this survey, team work effort of surveyors, shippers, consignee, Laboratory,
Liner Agency PRESENTED BY T.S.SHRINIVAASAN OF MAR-TECH

Bulk Stock Assessment
 When I commenced my career, we used to do this
assignment for corporate companies for their half yearly
and Annual Stock closing, by estimating the stock volume
and assuming the stock to the nearest geometric shapes
like cone or trapezoid and taking bulk density of cargo.
 As years roll by, clients demands volume to be ascertained
by employing theodolite.
 Now recent years, we use Total Electronic Stations to
estimate volume.
 So it is a team work efforts of Civil Engineers, Samplers and
Surveyors.

Insurance Surveys
 I lay stress on following in Insurance Surveys:
 Chronological facts.
 Nature of packing, whether adequate or customary.
 Nature & extent of damage
 Cause of damage
 Knowledge of ICC ‘A’, B and C, including General Exclusion
Clause.
 Related warranties attached to the Policy.
 Domain knowledge of Shipping, Port, Customs, CFS,
INCO Terms etc
In Indian scenario, Insurance Surveyors are so far
independent in nature, but appointed by Insurer.

Insurance Survey (contd.)
 Even IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority- who issues License to act as Surveyor /Loss
Assessor) new Regulations 2013 gave rights to Insured to
appoint their Surveyors in times of dispute.
 However, during this winter session of Parliament there
are proposals by Govt. to pass some amendments in
Insurance Act 1938 Sec.64 UM, by removing sub section 2
to 5, which talks about necessity of an Independent
Insurance Surveyor.
 There is lot of resistance/protest from IIISLA (Indian
Institute of Insurance Surveyors and Loss Assessors) for
which I am a Fellow Member , against the amendment.

Insurance Survey (contd.)
 Thus for an efficient execution of Insurance Survey, it
is a co-operative and team work effort and making
good relations with Insurer, Insured and service
providing agencies like Liner/Steamer Agents, CHAs,
Port/CFS/Terminal besides possession of knowledge
as outlined earlier.

Conclusion
 I have shared my experience for certain segments of cargo
surveying as to how it is team work effort or co-operation
of various agencies.
 While concluding let me share a quote from Capt. John
Guy from his Book on “Marine Surveying &
Consultancy “ with respect to qualifications for a Marine
Surveyor.“ The main qualifications for a surveyor are
physical stamina, keen observation, scrupulous honesty,
attention to detail, an open mind and ears, a closed mouth
and common sense”. I may wish to add relationship
with other stake holders, which is the theme of this
Seminar.
 Thanks for patiently listening and for this opportunity.

Synergies in marine cargo surveying

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