Data Analysis

We would like to thank all of our customers who continue to trust CISD Marine to survey their cargo. CISD Marine remains committed to a more aggressive approach to collecting data for analytical purposes, with the ultimate goal of improving our service to our customers. The recorded data generally includes the shipment details on the bills of lading, such as bill of lading date, metric tons shipped, commodity type, shipper, load port, as well as discharge details, reporting time, and the amount invoiced to the customer. Similar additional items are also recorded, though not listed. Though these details likely only represent a small portion of your overall business, and only represents our experiences, we invite our customers to contact us at any time for specific queries relating to cargo surveyed by CISD Marine from 2017 to the present. This could include questions about the average time needed for a shipment from Taiwan to be received in Houston, or which terminal in Houston is receiving the most steel cargoes. CISD Marine can present data on many more (possibly endless) questions you may have. Please ask us and we’ll let you know what we can do. It is our intent to offer this service free of charge to our existing customers as a value-added service.

How Much Does a Discharge Survey Cost?

There are many variables to the cost of a survey, including weather and operational delays, stowage locations, amount of damage, constant vs. periodic attendance, reporting requirements, etc. We have attempted to ease concerns about these variables by using historical data of the cost of actual surveys performed. While there is not a price guarantee, we can provide support for estimates. We have also used the data to conduct an internal review prior to issuing an invoice, to ensure the amount is fair and reasonable. As indicated in the graph below, the cost per ton decreases significantly with increased shipment sizes. For more information on how the cost of a survey can be affected, or for commodity-specific information, please contact us. The following graph represents all discharge assignments received in the last five (5) calendar years, for all commodities.

How Many Photos Will Be In My Report?

Photo density matters because it strengthens the defensibility, clarity, and credibility of a report. High‑volume, well‑sequenced images create an objective visual record that supports your narrative, reduces ambiguity, and limits room for dispute. In cargo surveying especially, dense photo evidence documents condition, the timeline of events, and shows every relevant surface or anomaly. This level of visual rigor protects the surveyor, accelerates claim resolution, and provides clients with a transparent, verifiable account of what actually occurred.