Marine Consultancy & Vessel Inspection Services in India

Sapient Services provides a range of marine consultancy, vessel inspection, survey, audit and operational support services to shipowners, shipping companies, vessel operators, charterers, financiers and other maritime stakeholders. Our services cover technical and operational assessments, pre-purchase inspections, vessel condition surveys, cargo surveys, regulatory compliance audits and specialised marine support. With a focus on maritime safety, regulatory requirements and operational efficiency, we help clients assess vessel conditions, identify potential risks, address compliance requirements and make informed decisions throughout the vessel’s operational lifecycle.

CONSULTANCY & MANAGEMENT

Marine Consultancy: Expert technical, operational and commercial advice for shipowners, vessel operators, charterers and financiers, supporting informed decisions and efficient vessel operations.
DOC Company Set-Up: End-to-end assistance in establishing a ship management company and preparing for the issuance of its ISM Document of Compliance (DOC), including Safety Management System (SMS) manuals, procedures, documentation and audit readiness.
Port Captain Services: An experienced master mariner on site to oversee port operations, cargo handling, vessel turnaround and coordination with terminals, port authorities and shipping agents.

SURVEYS & INSPECTIONS

Pre-Purchase Inspection: A thorough technical inspection before vessel acquisition to identify defects, operational risks, maintenance requirements and potential repair costs. This service can complement vessel valuation and support buyers assessing vessels for acquisition and reflagging to India.
Condition Survey: An independent assessment of the vessel’s hull, machinery, equipment and overall physical condition for shipowners, charterers, financiers and insurers.
Hold Inspection: Inspection of cargo holds for cleanliness, condition and suitability before loading, in accordance with applicable cargo requirements and charterparty conditions.
Ultrasonic Hatch Cover Tightness Testing: Ultrasonic testing of hatch covers and associated openings to assess weathertight integrity, identify potential leakage points and help prevent water ingress and cargo damage.
Cargo Survey: Inspection and assessment of cargo quantity, condition, stowage and securing arrangements during loading and discharge operations, as required by the assignment.
Draft Survey: Determination of cargo quantity loaded or discharged through vessel displacement calculations based on draft readings, water density, vessel hydrostatic data and relevant corrections.

AUDITS & COMPLIANCE

Internal Audits (ISM, MLC, ISPS): Independent shipboard and office audits against applicable requirements of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, helping companies identify compliance gaps and prepare for external audits and inspections by flag administrations, recognised organisations and port state control authorities.
TMSA Review: Gap analysis and improvement recommendations against the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) Tanker Management and Self Assessment (TMSA) framework to strengthen safety management systems, operational performance and preparedness for oil major vetting assessments.
Navigation Audit: Onboard assessment of bridge procedures, passage planning, bridge team management, navigational practices and compliance with applicable navigation requirements, including observations made during vessel operations where practicable.
Cargo Audit: Review of cargo handling procedures, relevant documentation, equipment condition and crew competence to identify operational gaps, reduce cargo claims and minimise associated risks.

INVESTIGATION & OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

Incident Investigation: Independent investigation of marine casualties, cargo damage, operational incidents and near-misses, including root cause analysis and recommendations for corrective and preventive actions.
Tank Cleaning Assistance (Supercargo): An experienced supercargo onboard to plan, coordinate and supervise tank cleaning operations between cargo grades, helping ensure that tanks meet the cleanliness and inspection requirements for subsequent cargoes and minimise the risk of delays and off-hire.

Services are supported by experienced master mariners, marine engineers and other maritime industry professionals, subject to the scope and requirements of each assignment.