Earlier this month, Up River Marine was contracted to provide Steel Cargo Supervision at Montevideo Port, Uruguay. The shipment involved over 500 metric tons of steel coils destined for Europe.

Our role included supervising the entire loading process — from cargo preparation and lashing to hatch sealing — ensuring all steps met safety and handling standards. Steel cargo is especially vulnerable to damage from moisture, improper securing, or impact during loading. To mitigate risk, our team carried out pre-loading inspections, moisture checks, and cleanliness assessments of cargo holds.

Using detailed photo documentation and real-time reporting, we flagged and resolved several issues, including inadequate dunnage and rust contamination on a few coils. We also recommended improvements to the loading sequence, which helped prevent shifting during sea transit.

This case highlights the importance of having an experienced marine surveyor on-site. Our proactive involvement not only preserved cargo integrity but also ensured a smoother handover process with the consignee at the destination port.