AT CARGO Surveys SA, owner John Dawson guarantees to have reports returned to his clients within 72 working hours.
The Randburg-based company, which deals specifically with condition reports on Gauteng import and export cargoes, is about to celebrate its first year in business . Its range of services includes preshipment surveys, damaged cargo reports, damage assessment, quality and quantity verification, load and unload surveillance and tally confirmation.
For Dawson, whose experience in the industry has spanned a wide spectrum from ships agency, to charter, vessel management and clearing and forwarding, it's a challenge which he stumbled on quite by chance.
As a ships agent, one of the lines he was representing ran into difficulties over a 1400 ton import consignment of steel which had rusted.
As the agent I was sent to look at it and produce a survey report. On production of the report I was told that it was so comprehensive that I'd clearly missed my vocation, and that's where the seed was planted.
Dawson saw a major gap in the market for a small operator who could provide personalised service and speedy turnaround at competitive rates, and Cargo Surveys SA was born.
His tip to the industry on cargo damage avoidance is a simple one.
The basics are what make the difference, says Dawson. Secure, clearly marked, uniform packaging, and if you're using shrink wrap make sure that it's not clear plastic which reveals the contents.
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