Vestfold Marine Cargo Survey AS
Marine Cargo Survey Services in Norway — VMCS-AS Sandefjord

Vestfold Marine Cargo Survey AS · Sandefjord

Survey services

Independent marine, cargo and logistics surveys across Norway. Reports for insurance, legal and commercial use — from ship to terminal, warehouse and road. The surveyor who attends is the one who signs.

  • Cargo
  • Draft surveys
  • Damage
  • On/off-hire
  • Bunker
  • Tanker
  • MARPOL Annex II
  • Pre-purchase
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Cargo & damage

01 · Shipping

Cargo Surveys & Inspections in Norway

Independent verification of cargo condition, handling and quantity at ports, terminals, warehouses and transport units. We deliver accurate, unbiased reports suitable for insurance, legal and commercial purposes.

Inspection scope

  • Pre-shipment / pre-loading inspections
  • Loading & discharge supervision
  • Cargo condition surveys
  • Quantity & weight verification
  • Draft surveys (when applicable)
  • Sampling & laboratory coordination

Container & cargo checks

  • Container inspections (dry & reefer)
  • Temperature-controlled cargo checks
  • Seal verification & cargo security checks
  • General and bulk cargo inspections
  • Cargo stowage & securing verification
  • Ports
  • Terminals
  • Warehouses
  • Road transport
  • Dry cargo
  • Reefer
  • Bulk

Reporting & documentation

Each assignment includes professional documentation — photos, observations, and measurements when applicable — with a clear conclusion. Reports delivered in PDF format, suitable for insurance and legal purposes.

Request a cargo survey WhatsApp

02 · Bulk cargo

Independent Draft Surveys at Norwegian Ports

Independent draft survey services for bulk carriers at Norwegian ports — determining cargo weight loaded or discharged by displacement calculation. We follow internationally recognised draft survey procedures, with independent ballast soundings and full deduction reconciliation.

For bulk traders & owners

Why a draft survey matters

Draft surveys remain the most widely accepted method of determining bulk cargo quantity at loading and discharge. The accuracy of the final figure depends on the surveyor's reading discipline and calculation method — and on an impartial third party witnessing both ship and shore.

Survey scope

  • Initial survey (arrival, light condition)
  • Final survey (departure, loaded / unloaded condition)
  • Six-point draft reading (forward, midship, aft — both sides)
  • Ballast tank soundings — all tanks
  • Fresh water, fuel oil and diesel oil soundings
  • Density measurement of dock water
  • Trim and list correction calculations

Calculations & documentation

  • Displacement and hydrostatic correction
  • Deadweight constant verification
  • Cargo quantity determination
  • Comparison with shore figures and B/L
  • Letter of Protest issuance when discrepancies arise
  • Joint survey coordination (shipper / receiver)
  • Final quantity certificate
  • Draft survey
  • Bulk carrier
  • Grain
  • Fertilizer
  • Coal
  • Steel cargo
  • Quantity dispute
  • Norwegian ports

Reporting & documentation

Draft survey reports include six-point draft readings, ballast and consumables soundings, density measurement, full displacement calculation with hydrostatic data, and a signed quantity certificate — formatted for trader, owner, and underwriter use.

Request a draft survey WhatsApp

03 · Insurance & claims

Damage & Loss Investigations

Professional damage surveys and investigations with clear evidence and reporting suitable for insurance and legal handling. We establish facts independently — no commercial interest on either side.

Survey types

  • Cargo damage assessments
  • Transport damage inspections (truck / trailer / container)
  • Warehouse damage investigations
  • Joint surveys with stakeholders (when required)

Investigation & reporting

  • Cause-of-loss analysis (handling, temperature, moisture, impact)
  • Liability & responsibility investigations (facts-based)
  • Photographic documentation
  • Insurance-grade reporting
  • Cargo damage
  • Transport
  • Warehouse
  • Insurance
  • Legal
  • Photographic evidence

Reporting & documentation

Reports are structured for insurance and legal submission — clear cause-of-loss conclusion, photographic evidence, and observations formatted for claims processing.

Request a damage survey WhatsApp

04 · Commercial goods

Commercial & Industrial Goods Inspections

Inspection of goods outside traditional marine cargo — including high-value, sensitive and temperature-critical products.

Goods categories

  • Machinery & industrial equipment inspections
  • Pharmaceutical and medical cargo checks
  • Food products and fruit cargo inspections
  • Construction materials condition checks
  • High-value goods verification

When to request

  • Before accepting delivery of high-value goods
  • Insurance pre-survey of equipment
  • Temperature-critical product verification
  • Damage claim on a commercial shipment
  • Machinery
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Food & perishables
  • Construction materials
  • High-value goods

Reporting & documentation

Reports suitable for insurance, legal, and commercial purposes. Each report includes photographic evidence and a clear conclusion on condition.

Request a commercial inspection WhatsApp

Vessel & charter

05 · Marine

Marine & Vessel Surveys at Norwegian Ports

Vessel condition and operational inspections for owners, charterers and other principals — bulk carriers, tankers and commercial vessels at Norwegian ports.

Vessel inspections

  • Cargo hold cleanliness inspections
  • Hull & equipment condition checks
  • Vessel damage inspections
  • Shipboard cargo inspections

Compliance & specialised

  • MARPOL Annex II inspections (NMA authorized)
  • Cargo tank condition checks
  • Pre-flag-state & pre-class preparation support
  • Bulk carriers
  • Tankers
  • Hold cleanliness
  • Hull condition
  • Compliance

Reporting & documentation

Independent condition reports suitable for charter agreements, compliance, and insurance submissions. Full photographic record included.

Request a vessel survey WhatsApp

06 · Pre-purchase

Pre-Purchase Vessel Surveys

Independent pre-purchase inspections for buyers of commercial vessels, fishing boats, leisure boats and yachts. An evidence-based assessment of condition before you commit — for the purchase and for the insurance position.

For buyers

Why a pre-purchase survey matters

A vessel looks different to a trained surveyor than to a seller. We attend on the buyer's instructions as an impartial third party, identify defects and risks, and report findings so you can negotiate, walk away, or proceed. Reports are also used by Norwegian insurers for new policy underwriting.

Vessel types covered

  • Commercial ships (bulk carriers, tankers, general cargo)
  • Fishing vessels & workboats
  • Motor yachts and sailing yachts
  • Leisure boats & cabin cruisers
  • Used vessels of all sizes and ages

What we inspect

  • Hull condition (above and below waterline where accessible)
  • Deck, superstructure & structural integrity
  • Main engine, auxiliaries & propulsion
  • Electrical systems, batteries & wiring
  • Navigation & communication equipment
  • Safety equipment & firefighting systems
  • Steering, rudder, propeller & shaft (where accessible)
  • Tanks, plumbing & sanitation
  • Documentation review (registration, certificates, service history)

What you receive

  • Comprehensive written condition report (PDF)
  • Detailed photographic record of findings
  • Clear list of defects, risks, and recommended actions
  • Independent opinion suitable for price negotiation
  • Documentation accepted by insurers and finance providers

When to request

  • Before signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
  • Before final payment on a used vessel purchase
  • For insurance underwriting on a new acquisition
  • For finance / bank requirements on vessel purchase
  • For any as-is, where-is sale where condition is unclear
  • All vessel types
  • Commercial ships
  • Fishing vessels
  • Motor yachts
  • Sailing yachts
  • Leisure boats
  • Used vessels
  • Insurance-grade

Instructed by the buyer

The inspection is carried out for the buyer. Findings are reported as found, including defects the seller may not have mentioned. VMCS-AS has no interest in the sale.

Request a pre-purchase survey WhatsApp

07 · Charter party

On-Hire & Off-Hire Inspections

Independent condition and bunker inspections at delivery and redelivery — establishing the agreed condition of the vessel, holds, tanks and bunker quantities for both owner and charterer.

For owners & charterers

Why on/off-hire surveys matter

Most charter-party disputes over hold cleanliness, vessel damage or bunker quantity are decided by what the on-hire and off-hire reports recorded. An independent surveyor at both ends creates a record accepted by the parties and by their P&I and H&M underwriters.

On-hire inspection scope

  • General vessel condition & cleanliness
  • Cargo holds / tanks readiness inspection
  • Hatch covers, cranes, derricks (where applicable)
  • Hull, deck and superstructure condition
  • Existing damage record with photographs
  • Bunkers on board (BROB) quantity survey
  • Lub-oil and fresh water ROB (on request)
  • Stores, spares and certificates verification

Off-hire inspection scope

  • Vessel condition at redelivery
  • Cargo holds / tanks final cleanliness check
  • New damage identification against the on-hire baseline
  • Hatch covers and equipment condition
  • Bunkers on board (BROB) at redelivery
  • Lub-oil and fresh water ROB
  • Comparison report with on-hire findings
  • Joint survey coordination (owner / charterer)

Vessel types covered

  • Bulk carriers
  • Tankers (oil, chemical, product)
  • General cargo & multipurpose vessels
  • Container vessels

When to nominate us

  • At delivery under a time charter
  • At redelivery from a time charter
  • For voyage charter intermediate inspections
  • When holds need confirmed cleanliness for the next cargo
  • When P&I or H&M underwriters require attendance
  • On-hire
  • Off-hire
  • Time charter
  • Hold cleanliness
  • BROB
  • Damage record
  • Joint survey

Reporting & documentation

Reports are structured for charter-party use: condition statement, photographic evidence of damage, bunker, lub-oil and fresh-water ROB figures, and a clear conclusion. Off-hire reports compare directly against the on-hire baseline.

Request an on/off-hire survey WhatsApp

08 · Project cargo

Heavy-Lift, OOG & Project Cargo Supervision

Independent supervision and lashing verification for out-of-gauge, heavy-lift and project cargo by sea, road or multimodal transport. We attend the operation, verify the stowage plan, witness lifting and securing, and produce lashing calculations referencing the IMO CSS Code.

Engineering-grade

Why independent project cargo supervision matters

Heavy-lift and OOG operations carry real engineering risk. Shipping lines, underwriters and consignees increasingly require independent verification before sailing. VMCS-AS attends the operation, produces lashing plan drawings, and delivers calculations referenced to IMO CSS Code Annex 13.

Cargo & operation scope

  • Project cargo and out-of-gauge (OOG) units
  • Heavy-lift components and modules
  • Industrial machinery (TBM, transformers, turbines, reactors)
  • Wind turbine blades, nacelles and towers
  • Construction equipment and oversized vehicles
  • Yachts and pleasure craft on deck
  • Pre-loading inspection of cargo condition and marking

Lashing & securing verification

  • Stowage plan review
  • Witness of lifting and stowage onboard
  • Lashing equipment inventory (chains, wires, turnbuckles, web lashings, MSL ratings)
  • Lashing calculations per IMO CSS Code Annex 13
  • Securing arrangement drawings (when required)
  • Pre-sailing condition certificate
  • Discharge attendance and de-lashing supervision
  • OOG
  • Heavy-lift
  • Project cargo
  • IMO CSS Code
  • Lashing calculation
  • Stowage plan
  • Wind energy
  • Yacht shipment

Reporting & documentation

Each assignment is delivered with a lashing report — equipment inventory with MSL values, calculations referenced to IMO CSS Code Annex 13, lashing plan drawings, a photographic record, and a signed certificate of inspection for the voyage file and underwriters.

Request project cargo supervision WhatsApp

09 · High-risk operations

Pre-Shipment & High-Risk Operation Verification

Independent attendance for operations with elevated risk — heavy-lift loadouts, project cargo voyages, ship-to-ship transfers, towage and unusual cargo movements. We verify procedures against good marine practice and document findings for shippers, charterers and their insurers.

Independent verification

Not underwriter representation

Shippers, consignees and charterers often need their own third-party verification before sailing — separate from any marine warranty surveyor the underwriter may nominate. VMCS-AS witnesses the work and produces a factual condition and procedure report. It is not issued as a Certificate of Approval.

Operations attended

  • Heavy-lift and OOG loadout attendance
  • Project cargo pre-shipment inspection
  • Ship-to-ship (STS) cargo transfer attendance
  • Towage and barge operation attendance
  • Unusual or one-off cargo movements
  • Mooring operation observation
  • Pre-voyage cargo condition verification

Scope of attendance

  • Method statement and procedure review
  • Pre-operation cargo and equipment condition check
  • Weather and operational window observation
  • On-site witness of the operation
  • Photographic documentation throughout
  • Deviation and observation reporting
  • Post-operation condition statement
  • Pre-shipment
  • Loadout
  • STS
  • Towage
  • Project voyage
  • Heavy-lift
  • Independent verification
  • Norwegian ports

Reporting & documentation

Reports follow a clear structure — scope and limitations, document review log, on-site witness statement with photographs, deviations and observations, and a factual condition statement. Suitable for shippers, charterers, consignees and their insurance position.

Request pre-shipment verification WhatsApp

Tanker, bunker & MARPOL

10 · Tanker

Tanker Cargo Operations & Quantity Surveys

Independent attendance on oil, chemical and product tankers at Norwegian load and discharge ports. Accurate cargo quantities and quality at every stage — ship and shore — with documentation for commercial settlement and dispute resolution.

Loading & discharge attendance

  • Pre-loading cargo tank inspection
  • Ullage, temperature and sampling
  • Time log of operations
  • Letter of Protest issuance when required

Quantity verification

  • Ship and shore figure reconciliation
  • OBQ / ROB measurement
  • Shore tank gauging
  • Independent quantity certificate
  • Oil tankers
  • Chemical tankers
  • Product tankers
  • Loading
  • Discharge
  • OBQ/ROB
  • Norwegian ports

Reporting & documentation

Each tanker operation is delivered as a complete package — time log, ullage and quantity figures, shore tank measurements, photographic record, and signed Letters of Protest where applicable.

Request a tanker survey WhatsApp

11 · Bunker

Bunker Surveys — Quantity & Quality

Independent bunker quantity and sampling surveys at Norwegian ports and offshore terminals. Contemporaneous figures and representative samples — onboard and at the supplying barge or shore facility.

For charterers & owners

Why an independent bunker surveyor

Bunker disputes often come down to who has independent, contemporaneous evidence of the stem. We measure tanks before and after, witness line displacements and meter readings, and draw MARPOL-compliant samples so the figures are defensible if a dispute arises later.

Bunker quantity surveys (BQS)

  • Pre- and post-bunkering tank gauging
  • Sounding / ullage measurements with temperature
  • Volume correction to standard temperature (15°C)
  • Mass calculation from volume & density
  • Witness of supplier meter readings
  • Verification of Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) figures
  • Issuance of an independent quantity certificate

Bunker sampling & quality

  • MARPOL-compliant sampling at the manifold
  • Continuous drip sampling during transfer
  • Sample sealing & chain-of-custody documentation
  • Coordination with accredited fuel testing laboratories
  • Witnessing of joint samples (supplier / receiver)
  • Retained samples for dispute resolution

Where we attend

  • Vessels alongside Norwegian ports
  • Offshore terminals & STS operations (on request)
  • Onboard barge bunker deliveries
  • Shore-tank truck-to-vessel transfers

Disputes & ROB / BROB

  • Remaining-on-board (ROB) surveys before / after charter
  • Bunker-on-board (BROB) verification
  • Quantity dispute investigations
  • Fuel quality complaint support & sample retrieval
  • Bunker quantity
  • Bunker sampling
  • MARPOL sample
  • VLSFO
  • MGO
  • HFO
  • ROB / BROB
  • Disputes

Reporting & documentation

Each bunker survey is an independent PDF with measurement figures, calculation sheets, a photographic record and sealed-sample documentation — formatted for charter-party clauses and later dispute resolution.

Request a bunker survey WhatsApp

12 · Terminal

Terminal Operations & Shore-Side Inspections

Independent supervision at oil terminals and shore facilities — shore tank measurement, sampling, incident investigation and terminal-side operational support at Norwegian ports.

Terminal services

  • Shore tank measurement & sampling
  • Terminal operations supervision
  • Incident investigation at terminal
  • Pre-loading shore-side readiness checks

Coordination & support

  • Liaison between vessel, terminal and trader
  • Documentation review (calibration, certificates)
  • Onshore sampling for laboratory analysis
  • Joint inspection coordination
  • Oil terminals
  • Shore tanks
  • Sampling
  • Measurement
  • Terminal supervision

Reporting & documentation

Terminal reports include measurement data, sampling records, photographic evidence and a clear conclusion. For tanker-side cargo operations (ullage, OBQ/ROB, loading and discharge), see Tanker Cargo Operations.

Request terminal services WhatsApp

13 · NMA authorized

MARPOL Annex II Inspections

Authorized by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (Sjøfartsdirektoratet) to conduct MARPOL Annex II prewash inspections on tankers carrying noxious liquid substances at Norwegian ports and offshore terminals.

NMA approved

Norwegian Maritime Authority authorization

Approved by Sjøfartsdirektoratet to conduct mandatory prewash inspections on tankers carrying noxious liquid substances (Category X, Y and Z) that require prewash in Norwegian ports or offshore terminals.

Who needs this

  • Tankers carrying Category X, Y, Z substances
  • Vessels calling at Norwegian ports
  • Offshore terminal operators
  • Owners and managers requiring compliance documentation

What we provide

  • Pre-wash inspection & supervision
  • Compliance verification per MARPOL Annex II
  • Official inspection certificate / report
  • Attendance across Norway
  • MARPOL Annex II
  • Category X
  • Category Y
  • Category Z
  • NLS tankers
  • Norwegian ports
Request a MARPOL inspection WhatsApp

Claims & logistics

14 · Insurance & claims

Insurance & Claims Support

Independent third-party verification and structured documentation for insurance claims and disputes. For insurers, law firms, P&I correspondents and claimants who need unbiased attendance in Norway.

Claims support

  • Independent third-party inspections
  • Loss verification reports
  • Evidence collection for claims
  • Claim validation surveys
  • Documentation for law firms and insurers
  • On-site attendance for P&I Clubs and correspondents, case by case
  • Insurance
  • Legal
  • Law firms
  • P&I
  • Claims validation
  • Third-party

Reporting & documentation

Reports are structured for insurance and legal submission: PDF, photographic evidence, and observations written for claims handling and dispute resolution.

Request claims support WhatsApp

15 · Warehousing

Logistics & Warehouse Inspections

Independent inspections of storage and logistics operations — to reduce loss, and to support a claim when something has already gone wrong.

Storage & stock

  • Warehouse stock & storage condition surveys
  • Packaging & labeling verification
  • Pallet & stacking inspections
  • Cold storage inspections

Facility & operations

  • Distribution centre audits
  • Terminal and facility inspections (on request)
  • Warehousing
  • Cold storage
  • Distribution
  • Terminal
  • Pallet inspection

Reporting & documentation

Facility and stock condition reports suitable for insurance claims, loss prevention and operational audit.

Request a warehouse inspection WhatsApp

16 · Sampling

Laboratory Sample Transport

Express transport of laboratory samples — timed, sealed, and handled so the result still represents what was drawn on site.

Service details

  • Express delivery for time-critical laboratory samples
  • Secure handling in transit
  • Available across Norway and abroad
  • Chain of custody maintained throughout
  • Coordination with the receiving laboratory
  • Lab samples
  • Express delivery
  • Norway
  • Chain of custody

Why this sits with the survey

Many cargo and bunker surveys depend on a sample that still represents the parcel. We can draw it on site and move it to the laboratory under one chain of custody. Laboratory analysis itself is arranged with Petrotest AS.

Enquire about sample transport WhatsApp

17 · Crew compliance

Drug & Alcohol Testing for Vessels

Impartial onboard testing for owners, managers and operators who need a documented check of crew compliance.

Testing

  • Unannounced testing onboard
  • Scheduled crew compliance testing
  • Third-party administration
  • Documented results

Who instructs us

  • Vessel owners & managers
  • Ship operators & crew agencies
  • Companies with a safety-compliance obligation
  • Drug testing
  • Alcohol testing
  • Crew compliance
  • Onboard
  • Maritime safety

Reporting & documentation

Results are issued in a structured report for the company's compliance file and for any regulatory requirement that applies.

Request testing WhatsApp
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