Marine & Shipping 2026Updated

List of Licensed Marine Surveyor Firms for Cargo Inspection

Comprehensive directory of certified marine surveyor firms providing cargo inspection, draft surveys, and damage assessment services at major ports worldwide. Source verified surveyors for pre-shipment inspection, hold cleanliness checks, and cargo claims support.

Available Data Fields

Company Name

Headquarters

Port Coverage

Survey Types

Certifications

Cargo Specializations

Year Established

Contact Email

Phone

Website

Number of Surveyors

IFIA Membership

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Company Name	Headquarters	Port Coverage	Survey Types
SGS SA	Geneva, Switzerland	600+ ports globally	Draft survey, cargo inspection, bunker survey
Bureau Veritas Marine	Paris, France	400+ ports globally	Cargo inspection, petroleum testing, hold survey
Intertek (Caleb Brett)	London, UK	Major ports in 100+ countries	Cargo inspection, quantity verification, quality testing
Van Ameyde Marine	Rotterdam, Netherlands	Benelux & global network	Cargo damage survey, loss prevention, claims handling
AmSpec Group	Houston, USA	Americas, Europe, Asia	Bulk cargo survey, port captaincy, safety audits

2,000+ records available for download.

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Marine Cargo Surveyor Firms: Who They Are and Why They Matter

Marine cargo surveyor firms are independent inspection companies that verify the condition, quantity, and quality of goods being shipped by sea. They serve as trusted third parties between buyers, sellers, insurers, and shipping lines—providing the documented evidence that underpins billions of dollars in global trade each year.

The Global Landscape

The marine survey services market is valued at approximately $6.9 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6% through 2030. The industry spans from multinational TIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification) giants like SGS, Bureau Veritas, and Intertek down to specialized regional firms with deep expertise in particular cargo types or port clusters.

Two major professional bodies set standards for the profession:

IIMS (International Institute of Marine Surveying): Over 1,000 members across 100+ countries, the largest global professional body for marine surveyors, established 1991.
SAMS (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors): Approximately 1,000 accredited surveyors, primarily concentrated in North America.

Core Services

Licensed marine surveyor firms typically provide some or all of the following:

Service	Purpose	When Used
Pre-loading inspection	Verify cargo condition and packaging before loading	Pre-shipment
Draft survey	Determine bulk cargo weight by measuring vessel draft	Loading/discharge
Hold cleanliness survey	Confirm holds are fit to receive cargo	Before loading
On/off-hire survey	Document vessel condition at charter start/end	Charter transitions
Cargo damage survey	Assess and document damage for insurance claims	Post-discharge
Bunker survey	Verify fuel quantity during bunkering operations	Bunkering

Choosing the Right Firm

Key factors when selecting a marine surveyor for cargo inspection:

Port coverage: Major TIC companies like SGS operate in 600+ ports; regional specialists may offer deeper local knowledge at specific terminals.
Cargo expertise: Petroleum and chemicals require IFIA-certified inspectors; dry bulk commodities need experience with draft surveys; containerized goods require damage documentation skills.
Response time: 24/7 availability is essential—vessels cannot wait. Firms with local presence at your key ports will mobilize faster.
Accreditation: Look for ISO 17020 accreditation, IFIA membership, and classification society recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.How current is the marine surveyor firm data?

When you request a list, our AI crawls the web in real time to gather the latest publicly available information on each firm—including current port coverage, certifications, and contact details. This is not a static database.

Q.Does the list include firms at any port worldwide?

Our coverage extends to any port where marine surveyor firms have a public web presence. Major global hubs are well-represented, but smaller regional ports may have fewer listed firms. You can specify your target ports when customizing your request.

Q.Can I filter by specific cargo types like LNG or steel coils?

Yes. You can specify any cargo specialization in your request—petroleum products, dry bulk, break-bulk, containerized, refrigerated, project cargo, or specific commodities like LNG, steel, or grain.

Q.How do you verify that firms are actually licensed?

We collect publicly available certification and membership data from sources like IIMS, SAMS, IFIA, and national maritime authorities. We recommend independently verifying credentials before engaging any surveyor for high-value inspections.