Draft surveys have been a cornerstone of bulk cargo measurement for more than a century. They are simple in principle, widely accepted, and deeply embedded in certifying commercial weights. The reason for this is that the weighing instrument is the same at both load and discharge ports – the ship’s hull. Belt weighers or shore scales need calibration and are prone to errors under different weather conditions. There are different belt systems at the load and discharge ports giving discrepancies in cargo loaded or discharged. Hence draft surveys are the gold standard for bulk cargo measurement and bills of lading.
Yet beneath their apparent simplicity lies a complex chain of calculations, corrections, assumptions, and human judgement. For the professional marine surveyor, particularly those aligned with the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), understanding the limitations of manual draft‑survey methodology is essential for maintaining accuracy, defensibility, and professional credibility. Continue reading “Modern software tools are essential for professional marine surveyors”
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The Maritime Professional Council of the UK (
