GRAIN SURVEYING

 

Transporting grain in and out of Australia by ship is regulated by special rules.  Australia is well-known for its strict regulations in this area.

 

An independent Marine Surveyor, appointed by the ship’s owners, charterers or agent, and DAFF inspectors must inspect the hold of a ship intended to export grain.  They must jointly approve the ship for grain export and issue the necessary certificates. This must be done prior to loading grain onto the ship.

 

A Marine Surveyor must fulfil the requirements set out in the Export Control (Plants and Plants Products) Order 2011 and Export Control Orders Regulations 1982 to conduct the Hold grain inspections. These requirements include holding a Certificate of Competency in Master Class 1 and inspecting at least 10 bulk vessels under the supervision of a qualified Marine Surveyor.

 

I am a qualified Marine Surveyor with experience in conducting inspections across various ports in Australia, issuing certificates for fit to load, providing advice to the relevant parties when further work is needed before a ship can be approved, undertaking pre-survey inspections and organising and overseeing the cleaning of Holds to bring them to “Grain Condition”.

 

My practice generally involves the evaluation of a ship prior to her arrival in the Australian port of grain loading to determine if the hatch can be ready to load grain in the next Australian Port.   If not, I take into consideration whether the clean-up can be done by the crew and using the products and equipment on board the ship. This will often result in the avoidance of extra costs for ship owners caused by delays in loading and moving out of laycan days. I frequently board the ship and supervise the clean-up between when the ship is in ballast till the next port of grain loading in Australia.

 

In summary, my grain services consist of:

 

• Pre-Loading Inspection and advise

• Preparation and supervision of the holds clean up before loading grain in Australia.

• Initial / final Draft Surveys.

• Issue of “Fit to load certificate” after joint inspection with DAFF.

• Acting as Load Master during operations.

• Confection of loading plans.

• Agency work in Melbourne and Geelong.