Container Inspections

Reliable Container Inspection Services: Ensure Container Integrity Before Shipping

During the shipping and port clearance procedures, professional container seaworthiness inspections by qualified practitioners are regarded as of paramount importance to be carried out. Whether exporting valuable cargo, renting containers, or shipping a loaded consignment, make sure the container is structurally sound, secure, and meets all regulatory standards.

At Wainui Marine Surveying, we offer independent marine surveyors with decades of experience in marine container survey services. Based in Savannah and serving Hilton Head, Brunswick, Charleston, and beyond, we deliver fast container integrity checks you can rely on.

Allow us to ensure the condition, detect any hidden damage, and adhere to international shipping standards, all gathered with a complete inspection.

What Is a Container Inspection, and Why Does It Matter?

A Port Container Inspection Specialist is a deep evaluation wherein the assessment is done on the physical state, structural condition, and safety of a Container Ship. It guarantees that the unit is appropriate for carrying cargo, adheres to the ISO container certification standard, and is fit for the port or lease requirements.

From container damage assessment through to professional container inspections and sealing inspections, our qualified inspectors employ a tried-and-tested container inspection checklist to identify visible and non-visible defects before they become major problems.

Whether you're organizing a pre-shipment container inspection or undertaking an on-hire/off-hire container survey, our staff provides the information you require. 

Why Choose Wainui Marine Surveying for Container Inspections?

We offer 40+ years of marine surveying expertise focused specifically on container inspection services. Our trained professionals provide impartial, third-party reporting relied upon by logistics providers, freight organizations, port authorities, and leasing agents.

What Sets Us Apart?

• Certified Container Condition Reports

From a formal copy of an inspection report by ISO standards to container classification, structural findings, and recommendations for repair.

• High-Resolution Visual Documentation

Every issue is recorded with photos bearing a timestamp, serving as evidence in claims, disputes, or internal purposes.

• International Standard Compliance

All findings are measured against the ISO 1496/1, the CSC plate guidelines, and the required IICL standards.

• Regional Accessibility

The services run across Georgia and South Carolina, including Savannah, Hilton Head, Charleston, and Brunswick.

• Rapid Report Turnaround

Reports are issued digitally in less than 24-48 hours, with quick service offered in case of rush inspections.

Clients depend on our inspections to reduce their liability, be compliant, and improve transparency of their day-to-day processes. We know what matters most: accuracy, speed, and peace of mind. That’s why Wainui Marine Surveying is trusted as a leading port container inspection specialist in the Southeast.

Our Full Range of Marine Container Survey Services

Whether you are dealing with an overseas shipment, accepting back-loaded containers, or conducting due diligence for leasing purposes, we have customized inspections for all of these situations. We service dry, reefer, open-top, flat-rack, and tank containers.

1. Pre-Shipment Container Inspections

Pre-loading cargo inspection, we check containers for cleanliness, damage, and structural fitness. This ensures that the container is port, customs, and cargo owner compliant. We check integrity, water tightness, door operation, and container ID check—no surprises when the unit is underway.

Standard inspection components are:

• Interior contamination inspection

• Structural damage assessment

• Water-tightness test (light and door seal checks)

• Vent and gasket checks

• Pre-existing wear documentation

Reducing the probability of rejection by customs agents or international arrival terminals through these inspections.

2. On-Hire and Off-Hire Container Surveys

For leased containers, we perform on-hire (before use) and off-hire (return) condition surveys to safeguard all parties. These surveys record the precise condition of the container before and after utilization.

The following are inspections:

• Corner castings, door hardware, and floor inspection

• Scratches, dents, rust & corrosion mapping

• Door alignment and locking condition

• Digital photographs with time and GPS metadata

Our objective third-party documentation validates damage liability claims, insurance reports, and repair settlements for lessees and leasing companies.

3. Cargo Container Damage Evaluation

Due to rough seas, handling damages, or port accidents, containers may get dented, corroded, punctured, or otherwise structurally compromised. We render damage assessments in their entirety to work out the repair requirements, along with insurance documentation.

This involves:

• Extensive structural damage evaluation

• Corrosion and rust monitoring

• Water ingress tracing and moisture level readings

• Condition ratings (IICL/ISO scale)

We help logistics managers and lawyers document the degree of damage and suggest the optimal solution—repair, scrap, or decommission.

4. Sealing and Container Loading Inspections

We offer container stuffing and sealing inspections to guarantee that cargo is loaded and sealed safely for transit. This is particularly critical for high-value or regulated cargo.

Inspection criteria:

• Weight distribution and blocking/bracing verification

• Load securing techniques review.

• Seal number check and certification

• Visual inspection for container overloading or incorrect stacking

Such checks are usually necessary for customs release or freight liability reduction in the event of cargo shift or loss during transit.

5. ISO Container Certification & CSC Plate Validation

Our surveys confirm adherence to ISO 6346 requirements for container identification and CSC plate inspection according to the IMO convention.

We check:

• CSC plate availability, legibility, and compliance

• Container size and structural consistency

• International voyage certification (safety, capacity, stacking strength)

Compliance is critical for legitimate shipping, particularly in cross-border transportation, where documents need to be in alignment with global safety guidelines.

6. Third-Party Container Verification

Being independent marine surveyors, we conduct unbiased condition assessments free of internal stakeholder influence. 

Our verification services facilitate:

• Legal resolution of disputes

• Customs clearance audits

• Insurance claim and loss adjustment litigation

• Pre-purchase container condition vetting

Whether mandated by a port authority, by your lawyer, or by your logistics team, we provide confirmed, documented results that pass regulatory muster.

What's Included in Our Container Inspection Checklist

Every inspection involves a thorough examination utilizing a tested container inspection checklist specific to your type of container:

• Structural integrity visual inspection (walls, floor, roof, corner posts)

• Door condition, locking devices, and seal inspection

• Vents, gaskets, hinges, and weld seam inspection

• Detection of flooring damage or contamination

• Look for water intrusion, corrosion, rust, and odor

• Confirmation of CSC plate and container number

• Photos and notes documentation in your container inspection report

Want results quickly? Our quick container integrity checks include digital reports sent live and formal documentation sent in 12–24 hours.

Who Benefits from Our Container Inspection Services?

Our container inspection services are vital to the entire global logistics supply chain. From large multinational exporters to local freight operators, we service businesses that rely on container shipping by ensuring their containers comply with regulatory requirements and operate reliably under transit stress. Our qualified, third-party inspections bring transparency, minimize liability, and simplify operations for the following parties:

Shippers

Shippers rely on damage-free, contaminant-free containers that are structurally reliable to deliver against shipment schedules and prevent port rejections. Our inspections confirm units to be dry, sealed, free from rodents, and fit for the storage of cargo according to ISO 1496-1. By identifying corrosion, fatigue, or water ingress in advance, we assist in preventing claims, shipment delays, and damaged goods, ensuring your cargo goes into the supply chain in perfect condition and full regulatory compliance.

Leasing Companies

Leasing companies should photograph container conditions accurately—prior to and after the lease period—to eliminate repair cost disagreements and insurance differences. Our on-hire and off-hire inspections feature high-resolution imagery, floor and roof evaluations, corner casting inspections, and CSC plate validation. This enables you to recover damages when justified, maintain warranty commitments, and assist in long-term asset integrity on your worldwide fleet.

Importers & Exporters

Whether you are shipping equipment or exporting finished goods, you need a qualified inspection that confirms your containers are CSC safety compliant and not contaminated, and able to handle intermodal freight and international maritime requirements. Our services minimize the chance of customs holds, import/export fines, and rejections based on damaged or non-compliant containers, enabling your bottom line and good name in foreign commerce.

Attorneys & Insurers

Law firms and ocean insurers depend on impartial, detailed container condition reports to support arbitration, insurance adjustment, cargo loss claims, and third-party litigation. We deliver forensic-level reporting, date-stamped photographic documentation, and classification by condition to litigation standards. Whether you are faced with a breach of contract suit or damage reimbursement, our certified reports enhance your legal standing and facilitate claim settlement.

Freight Forwarders & Port Operators

Terminal operators and freight forwarders need real-time, actionable information to process container turnover effectively. Our services range from pre-loading checks on containers, ISO plate checking, seal checks, and damage classification to ensure smooth container handover for road, rail, and sea transport. With Wainui Marine Surveying, you reduce rejections, detention charges, and cargo transfer holdups—keeping business compliant and on track.

Customs Brokers

Compliance reporting is critical to customs clearance, especially for regulated goods or high-risk routes. Our inspections validate that containers are sealed, clean, and in good structural condition, compliant with customs standards at U.S. and global ports. We support customs brokers with verified, dated reports that prevent shipment holds, prove regulatory due diligence, and minimize the likelihood of penalty or delay due to inspection.

Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs)

3PLs have to balance compliance with efficiency. Our container inspections guarantee that containers turned over to partners are ISO compliant and arrive in a condition fit for final-mile delivery or warehouse acceptance. Whether you're dealing with contract logistics, cross-docking, or intermodal consolidation, our container inspections improve your credibility and reduce operational risk at each logistics touchpoint.

Manufacturers and Industrial Exporters

High-end machinery and industrial equipment exports require special handling or tailored containers. This is where we come in to evaluate the strength of flooring within a container, the integrity of welds, and load-bearing capabilities to facilitate the safe shipping of your products. We can also ensure, by our reports, that oversized machinery is placed in a certified container before leaving the port, which is a vital security to risk prevention and insurance coverage.

Government and Regulatory Agencies

Container inspections should be neutral, verified exercises for the customs, emergency relief, or defense logistics operations of a city, a state agency, or a federal entity. Wainui Marine Surveying offers the technical know-how and documentation protocols agencies need to provide assurance of statutory compliance and successfully execute large-scale transportations with container integrity and international compliance confidence.

Certified, Reliable, and Local

All of our container inspectors have been trained by ISO and are conversant with world trade regulations. Either routing through Savannah or shipping out of Charleston, we are going to support keeping the supply chain smooth for you.

We proudly serve:

• Savannah

• Hilton Head

• Brunswick

• Charleston

• Surrounding port regions

Request Your Container Inspection Today

Don't jeopardize shipment time, finances, or compliance. Wainui Marine Surveying provides expert, timely, and certified shipping container inspections to your specifications.

Minimize delays, maximize delivery confidence—book your inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much is the inspection for a container?

Making it an easy decision for the buyer or seller, the container inspector investigates and measures structural elements, verifies with standards, and then composes a report that accounts for condition, defects, and fit-for-purpose disqualification. 

2. Are Containers Inspected and Certified for Shipping?

The majority of exports need to be validated by an appropriate inspection certificate stating that the container is seaworthy, structurally sound, and free from any contaminants.

3.  What does a professional container inspection include?

A standard inspection covers structural integrity, interior and exterior condition, door functionality, seal checks, and CSC plate validation. We also assess for corrosion, water ingress, and compliance with ISO standards, all documented in a certified container inspection report.

4. When is a container's seaworthiness inspection required?

Whenever a shipment of costly cargo is involved, an inspection is usually needed before coverage with an insurance policy or leasing a container. It ascertains that the unit is qualified to be transported through the sea in good condition, clean, and structurally sound.

5. How long does a container inspection last?

Most single-container inspections require between 30 minutes and 1 hour. We provide digital reports with high-resolution photographs and compliance findings, usually within 24 to 48 hours, but with expedited procedures for those who require it.