On-Hire Survey

An on-hire survey is the inspection of a container made at the time a shipping line (or other lessee) takes delivery of the container under a lease agreement.

• What We Do
  • Check that the container meets the condition criteria specified in the lease agreement between the lessor and the lessee.
    Create a detailed record of the container’s condition, with particular focus on any pre-existing damage or other defect.
    Classify the container as general-cargo, food-grade, or other standard specified by lessee.
    Check reefer container machinery, testing motors for bearing noise and leakage, requesting the download data in all cases.
• Why We Do It
  • To ensure that the container will withstand in-service maintenance for a reasonable period of time.
  • To ensure that the lessee is not held liable for any damage which occurred before delivery of the container.
  • To ensure the suitability of the container to carry the specified cargo.
  • To identify defects which might affect the operational reliability of the reefer container.

Off-Hire Survey

At the time a container is redelivered by the lessee to the lessor’s depot, the depot will survey the container and prepare an estimate of costs to repair it. An off-hire survey is an independent inspection of the container and of the estimate prepared by the depot.

• What We Do
  • Inspect the container in the lessor’s depot after it has been redelivered.
• Why We Do It
  • To check that items identified as lessee damage conform to the agreed lease terms and to general industry practice.
  • To ensure that no item relates to damage on the container before it was taken on lease by the lessee.
  • To assess whether the proposed repairs and repair methods are the most economical.
  • To verify that the proposed repair costs are in line with the local market.

Condition Survey

An inspection usually performed in depot to check the condition of a container prior to it being loaded with cargo or estimated for repair.

• What We Do
  • Inspect the container and record all impact and other operational damage, as well as wear and tear.
• Why We Do It
  • To assess whether the container is, or at reasonable cost could be, in a suitable condition to carry cargo.
  • To determine the most cost-effective next step for the container (i.e. loading with cargo, repair, redelivery to lessor, empty positioning, disposal).

In-Service Inspection

An inspection performed when the container is in use.

• What We Do
  • Inspect the container in accordance with the lessee’s specific in-service condition criteria (rather than in accordance with IICL off-hire criteria).
• Why We Do It
  • To ensure the operational safety of the container.
  • To maintain the operator’s reputation with his customers.
  • To monitor repair-depot performance and assess the need for depot training and audit.

Post-Repair Inspection

An inspection performed after a container has been repaired.

• What We Do
  • Inspect the quality and completeness of repair work against the repair estimate.
    Instruct depot to correct defective work and ensure that re-work meets required standard.
• Why We Do It
  • To ensure that all items on the repair estimate have been completed in accordance with IICL criteria.
  • To ensure that the container can be operated safely.
  • To ensure that the lessee does not face improper repair charges when the container is redelivered to the lessor.

Reefer Pre-Trip Inspection

An inspection of reefer containers performed either at time of delivery to the lessee from the lessor’s depot, or prior to the container being loaded with cargo.

• What We Do
  • Check reefer container machinery, testing motors for bearing noise and leakage, requesting the download data in all cases.
    Perform test on container to check that pre-set temperature is reached within specified time and maintained within specified tolerances.
• Why We Do It
  • To identify defects which might affect the operational reliability of the reefer container.
  • To ensure that prior to use the container is fully operational.

Reefer Post-Trip Inspection

An inspection of reefer containers performed at the time a reefer container is redelivered by the lessee to the lessor.

• What We Do
  • Perform the same checks and tests as in the pre-trip inspection.
• Why We Do It
  • To check that the container is in proper working order.
  • To ensure that the lessee is not held liable for subsequent damage or deterioration to the container.

Tank Cleaning Certificates

A periodic inspection of tank containers performed in accordance with international regulatory requirements.

• What We Do
  • Visual external and internal inspection of tank containers and completion of cleaning certificates in required format.
• Why We Do It
  • To maintain lessee’s compliance with applicable CSC requirements.
  • To identify internal aggressive pitting, dirt or cargo residue.
  • To ensure that the tank container can safely carry hazardous or non-hazardous cargo as required.
  • To ensure that cargo is not contaminated with residue from previous use.

Ship-Side Visual Inspection

A visual external inspection of containers performed alongside vessel during loading and discharge of containers.

• What We Do
  • Inspect containers as they are loaded on or discharged from vessels at port terminals.
• Why We Do It
  • To record missing parts or heavy damages which compromise the structural or operational safety of the container.
  • To enable the operator to identify where such damage occurred and to hold the appropriate party to account.

Warranty Inspection

An inspection of containers with defects potentially caused by improper manufacture.

• What We Do
  • Verification of container dimensions and construction; laboratory testing of component parts; inspection of damage and wear and tear.
• Why We Do It
  • To ensure that containers have been manufactured in accordance with the agreed specification.
  • To identify any manufacturing defects which would give rise to a warranty claim.

Cost Containment and Prevention Programmes

• Features
  • Under these programmes operators assign to CMC not only the inspection of individual containers at specific points in the logistics chain, but also the overall management of the agreed services on a fleet-wide basis.
  • Provide continuous inspection of all aspects of the manufacturer's production process, including manufacture, vendor management and monitoring of order completion and delivery timing of the containers.
  • Check installation of reefer machinery into container unit and review machinery manufacturer's commissioning testing, etc.
• Benefits to Operators
  • Partner whose core business and expertise covers these areas of container fleet management.
  • Outsourcing of non-value-added activity to third party with advanced cost-control capabilities.
  • Cost transparency through the itemized billing of services by a third party.
  • Turning of fixed cost into variable cost.
  • Wide range of customized monthly management reports.
  • On-going cost containment best practice and innovation.
• Programmes
  • fully outsourced m&r | inspection and repair criteria definition | repair invoice control
    fleet control | m&r benchmarking | repair table analysis | repair audit | equipment sales

Cost Recovery Programmes

• Features
  • CMC takes on the recovery of operational and administrative costs often absorbed by operators.
  • These programmes are subject to CMC being appointed to carry out the necessary inspection services described in the section on Container Inspection Services.
• Benefits to Operators
  • Recovery of a potentially substantial portion of operating costs.
  • Recovery of costs by CMC as a third party avoids potential operator conflict with shippers.
  • Some programmes can be set up on the basis that CMC earns fees only if savings are made for the operator.
• Programmes
  • third-party damage recovery | demurrage and detention recovery | warranty management

Other Fleet Management Services

• Features
  • CMC provides fleet evaluation and due diligence services for regulatory audits and M&A (physical inventory checks, condition sampling, checking of container identification and ownership markings, CSC compliance).
  • CMC also has a global distribution network for the supply and installation of security seals.
  • Check installation of reefer machinery into container unit and review machinery manufacturer's commissioning testing, etc.
• Benefits to Operators
  • Independent third-party corroboration of fleet condition, safety, physical presence.
  • Compliance with international regulations.
  • Evaluation of fleet for sale, acquisition or merger.
  • Physical asset validation for asset financing.
• Programmes
  • fleet evaluation | fleet due diligence | provision of security seals