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IME Marine Group

Marine surveys, inspections and certificates · IME

Pre-purchase and condition surveys

International Marine Experts (IME) surveys a vessel for the buyer, the broker or the bank before the money moves. The report sets out its current condition, class status and history, tanks, hull, machinery, outstanding repairs and areas of concern, with photographs, so the price and the loan rest on what the surveyor found.

A bulk carrier under way in open water, seen from alongside

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

    A vessel is offered for sale

    The buyer inspects before committing, and under the usual sale forms the decision has to follow the inspection within days.

  2. 02

    A bank finances the purchase

    The lender asks for an independent view of the vessel it will hold as security.

  3. 03

    An owner needs to know where the vessel stands

    A condition survey records the state of hull, machinery and equipment before a charter, a refinancing or a repair plan.

  4. 04

    The vessel is waiting to transit the Canal

    The waiting time at anchor in Balboa or Cristóbal can be used to inspect her without taking her out of service.

What the surveyor examines

IME surveyor taking notes beside an engine in the engine room

01

Condition and class status

The current condition of the vessel, her class status, the certificates on board and any conditions or recommendations outstanding.

02

History

The vessel's history as the records show it: previous surveys, repairs and incidents.

03

Hull and tanks

Hull, decks and the tanks that can be reached, with their coating and the corrosion and damage found.

04

Machinery

Main and auxiliary machinery, their maintenance records and their expected reliability.

05

Outstanding repairs and areas of concern

What has to be repaired, what should be watched, and what may affect the price or the loan.

To arrange it, send us

  1. 01The vessel's name and IMO number
  2. 02Where she is or will be, and the dates she is available
  3. 03Who you represent: buyer, broker or bank
  4. 04The scope you need: pre-purchase, condition or both
  5. 05Any particular concern to look at

What you receive

A survey report with the findings and photographs, written to support a price negotiation and a bank's decision.

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.

About IME

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
Three IME surveyors standing on the deck of a vessel at anchor

Arrange a pre-purchase survey

Send the vessel, where she is and the dates. The office of that region answers 24 hours a day.

Request assistance

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