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Marine surveys, inspections and certificates · IME

On-hire and off-hire surveys

IME records the vessel's condition and the fuel on board when she enters or leaves a charter. The report establishes any damage beyond fair wear and tear and gives both parties independent evidence for what the charter party says each one owes.

A container ship alongside a terminal under the gantry cranes

Where we attend

Each office attends the ports of its region 24 hours a day, and appointed surveyors attend the ports between them. Choose the port to see who attends.

Find a service in your port

Service

When you need it

  1. 01

    The vessel is delivered into a time charter

    Owner and charterer each record her condition and her bunkers at the start of the charter, often in a joint survey.

  2. 02

    The vessel is redelivered

    At the end of the charter the same record shows what changed and who answers for it.

  3. 03

    Damage or a shortfall is disputed

    The two surveys are the evidence the charter party relies on to settle it.

What the survey covers

01

Structure and spaces

Structure, accommodation and passenger areas, cargo spaces and machinery spaces.

02

Safety equipment and records

Safety equipment, certificates and classification records.

03

Bunkers and maintenance

The quantity of bunkers on board and selected items of the planned maintenance.

04

Cargo spaces

The cleanliness and condition of the cargo spaces, when the charter requires it.

05

Crew

Selected spaces and brief interviews with the crew, where they apply.

To arrange it, send us

  1. 01The vessel's name and IMO number
  2. 02The port and the date of delivery or redelivery
  3. 03On-hire, off-hire or both
  4. 04The party you represent and the charter party clauses that apply

What you receive

A survey report with the condition found, the bunkers on board and the photographs, so that delivery and redelivery can be compared item by item.

Response
We reply to every request within 24 to 48 hours at the latest.
Report
Preliminary report within 24 hours of the inspection; final report within 10 days.

Who provides it

International Marine Experts

International Marine Experts

Marine surveys, cargo inspections and marine chemist services.

Independence

IME attends as an independent surveyor. Findings are recorded as they are, and reports are prepared to stand on their own before third parties. IME's surveys and Bierman Pautt's legal work are contracted, staffed and reported separately.

What backs it

  1. Membership

    Listed surveyor for CESAM, DPS and TNM

    Issued by
    CESAM, DPS and TNM
    Scope
    IME is named on the surveyor panels of all three.
    Held byInternational Marine Experts
  2. Membership

    Member of the TIC Council

    Issued by
    TIC Council
    Scope
    The international association for the testing, inspection and certification industry.
    Held byInternational Marine Experts
  3. Certification

    ISO 9001:2015 certification

    GCL International and UKAS ISO 9001 certification mark, registration 86Q15045
    Issued by
    GCL International, under UKAS accreditation
    Reference
    ISO 9001:2015, 86Q15045
    Scope
    Quality Management System against the provisions of ISO 9001:2015 International Standard.
    Validity
    Valid from 18 April 2025 to 18 April 2028
    Held byInternational Marine Experts
IME surveyor on the after deck of a vessel at anchor

Arrange an on-hire or off-hire survey

Send the port and the date of delivery or redelivery. The office of that region answers 24 hours a day.

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