Alex Stewart International inspectors ensure that all contractual specifications are met to protect you from any unnecessary financial claims. Accurate weights and good delivery are just two factors that need to be considered to meet LME, LBMA, LPPM, GAFTA or FOSFA contractual obligations and that is why our inspectors are fully conversant with all internationally accepted sampling and weighing procedures. We can also assess whether a vessel is ship worthy and in appropriate condition to fulfil its carriage contract requirements.

All cargo supervision, inspection and sampling is carried out according to ISO and IFIA standards. When drawing samples, it is of paramount importance that practical and correct sampling methods are applied in order to obtain samples that are homogeneous and truly representative of the cargo as a whole.

For example, inspection, weighing and sampling of copper, zinc or lead concentrates, solid fuels, grains, fertilizer or soya bean can vary in quality. Contamination can be confined to specific areas of warehouse or vessel. It is therefore vital that the whole shipment is inspected and sampled thoroughly and methodically. Our inspectors, cargo surveyors, superintendents, weighers and samplers follow the correct sampling methods as any subsequent laboratory analysis may be undermined if inappropriate sampling methods have been applied, the laboratory chemist is only as good as the sample being analysed. Sampling is absolutely critical and this is why our inspectors are in full attendance for the whole duration of the supervision. Inspection and analysis costs are small compared to the commercial value of the commodity being traded; peace of mind is priceless.