A container can travel thousands of kilometres with its seal intact and still arrive with wet, crushed or missing cargo. When that happens, someone has to establish what condition the container and the goods were in and where things went wrong. In Kazakhstan, ADS Inspection & Consulting does this work for insurers, brokers and P&I clubs.
When a container survey is needed
- on arrival, when the receiver finds damage, a shortage or signs of water inside;
- before loading, to confirm the container is fit for the cargo;
- at transshipment points such as Khorgos and the Caspian ports;
- during storage, when containers stay at a terminal or warehouse for some time.
What we check
- the seal and its number against the documents;
- the walls, roof and floor of the container;
- the doors and locking gear;
- watertightness;
- cleanliness and whether the container was suitable for this cargo;
- stowage, lashing and securing inside;
- the cargo itself, its packing and markings.
Everything is photographed, from the general view down to close-ups of the damage, and compared with the shipping documents.
Why the container matters as much as the cargo
A small hole in the roof, a door that no longer closes tightly or a floor left dirty from a previous load can each explain damage that looks hard to understand at first. When the condition of the container itself is on record, the insurer can see whether the loss started with the container, with the stowage or with handling on the way. That also helps to decide whether a recovery from the carrier is realistic.
If you find a damaged container
If you are the receiver, try not to unload everything before the cargo has been recorded. Photograph the container and the seal before opening, note the seal number, keep the damaged packing, write your remarks on the transport documents and tell the insurer as soon as possible.
Where we work
Our own surveyors cover every region of Kazakhstan, including the Caspian ports. We reach Khorgos on the Chinese border from Almaty, and in Central Asia and Mongolia we work through our network of correspondents.
Frequently asked questions
Can you survey a container before it is loaded?
Yes. Container surveys can be done before loading or on arrival, depending on what the client needs.
How soon will we have results?
Preliminary findings are passed on from the site. The full report usually follows within two to three weeks.
Who usually instructs a container survey?
Mostly insurers, brokers and P&I clubs. Cargo owners also instruct us for pre-shipment surveys.
Instruct a container survey
Email info@adsic.kz, call +7 707 108 5758, message us on WhatsApp at +7 777 250 9663 or send a request through the form on our website. We reply on the same working day.