Resources

Marine Survey Resources for Owners, Charterers and Traders

Glossary, request checklists and practical guidance on bunker, draft, tanker, bulk and claims surveys at U.S. ports.

What marine survey terms should principals know?

Principals should know BDN, ROB, OBQ, VEF, vessel constant, TML, first-foot sample and joint survey, because these terms decide how bunker, draft, tanker, chemical and claims surveys are performed and how their results are read in settlements and disputes.

Marine survey glossary
Term	Meaning	Where it matters	Related service
BDN	Bunker Delivery Note stating grade, quantity and density delivered	Bunker deliveries and shortage claims	Bunker surveys
ROB	Remaining on board: fuel or cargo left in tanks	On-hire, off-hire and tanker discharge	Bunker and tanker surveys
OBQ	On board quantity before loading: residues, slops, water	In-transit loss and loading figures	Tanker cargo surveys
VEF	Vessel experience factor comparing ship and shore figures over voyages	Ship/shore reconciliation	Tanker cargo surveys
Constant	Unknown weights on board in a draft survey	Bulk cargo quantity	Draft surveys
TML	Transportable moisture limit of a Group A bulk cargo under the IMSBC Code	Liquefaction risk	Dry bulk cargo surveys
First-foot sample	Sample taken after a small initial load of a chemical parcel	Contamination control	Chemical cargo surveys
Joint survey	Survey attended by surveyors of several interested parties	Claims and on/off-hire	P&I and damage surveys

What should be included in a survey request?

A survey request should include the vessel name and IMO number, port and berth or anchorage, ETA, survey type, cargo or bunker details, appointing party and report recipients, and documents such as charter party clauses, nominations, bills of lading or BDN.

Bunker survey: supplier, barge, grades, nominated quantity, nomination, charter party bunker clauses.
Draft survey: cargo, B/L or nominated quantity, initial or final or both, hydrostatic tables if at anchorage.
Tanker survey: grade, quantity, terminal, previous cargoes, voyage instructions.
Damage survey: B/L, cargo description, location, photographs, notices of claim.
Condition survey: charter party clauses, previous on-hire report for off-hire surveys.

Send requests to info@amicamarine.com or use the survey request form.

Where can I find detailed survey guidance?

Detailed guidance is on each service page, which explains when the survey is needed, how it is carried out, what the report includes and port-specific conditions at Houston, Corpus Christi, New Orleans and Mobile, followed by answers to common questions.

Bunker surveys and draft surveys
Tanker and chemical cargo surveys
Dry bulk cargo surveys and loading supervision
P&I, H&M and cargo damage surveys
U.S. ports we serve and marine survey FAQ

Questions about survey resources

These answers point principals to the right information before instructing a survey at a U.S. port. For anything not covered here, contact Amica Marine 24/7 at 404-390-2132 or info@amicamarine.com.

Where can I see what a survey report includes?

The marine survey reports page explains report structure and contents by survey type, including figures, supporting records and typical readers.

Is there a checklist for bunker survey requests?

Yes. Send the vessel, port, ETA, supplier, barge, grades, nominated quantity and charter party bunker clauses. The bunker survey page lists everything the surveyor needs.

Do you publish port guidance?

Yes. The U.S. ports page summarizes cargoes, typical surveys and planning notes for each Gulf Coast port area.

Can I ask a technical question before instructing?

Yes. Email info@amicamarine.com with the situation and we will explain which survey fits and what it would involve.

24/7 survey inquiries

404-390-2132
info@amicamarine.com

Need a marine surveyor at a U.S. port?

Send the vessel name, port, ETA and survey type. We respond to survey inquiries 24/7 and coordinate surveyor attendance at major U.S. seaports on the Gulf, Atlantic and Pacific coasts.