Synergies in marine cargo surveying

PRESENTED BY T.S.SHRINIVAASAN OF MAR-TECH INSURANCE SURVEYORS & LOSS ASSESSORS PVT. LTD.,

Gnanananda Mayam Devam Nirmala SpatikaKruthim Aadharam Sarva Vidyanam Hayagrivam

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 SynergyWisdom is synergy of mind and heart.” -Stephen Covey

“Synergy – the bonus that is

achieved when things work

together harmoniously.”

– Mark Twain. PRESENTED BY T.S.SHRINIVAASAN OF MAR-TECH INSURANCE SURVEYORS & LOSS ASSESSORS PVT. LTD.,

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.


http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

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 INSURANCE SURVEYORS & LOSS ASSESSORS PVT. LTD.,

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 etcIn 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.


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Synergies in marine cargo surveying