The principle of marine surveying is straightforward, but the accuracy and repeatability of readings can be influenced by vessel behaviour
AUSTRALIA'S bulk trades, spanning iron ore, coal, grain and alumina, are a central pillar of the national economy.
The sheer scale of bulk operations, which account for almost all of Australia’s international trade by volume, exerts sustained pressure on ports, terminals and supply chains. High-volume exports, tight berthing schedules and complex supply chain arrangements mean that quantity determination is not just a technical exercise: it is central to commercial confidence, contract performance and dispute resolution.
Draft surveys remain a core method of bulk cargo quantity determination. The principle is straightforward, but the accuracy and repeatability of readings can be influenced by vessel behaviour, access constraints and environmental conditions on the day.
An additional challenge lies in the fact that the evidential record supporting draft readings has not always kept pace with the scrutiny now applied to bulk cargo outcomes. The typical output of a draft survey is a reported figure supported by professional notes and calculations. However, it is typically not supported by a time-stamped visual record showing what was actually observed at the ship’s side at the moment the reading was taken.
When disputes arise, that gap matters. In practice, a time-stamped photo or short video of the reading can be vital evidence and can make the difference between a technical discussion and a prolonged claim.
The bulk sector has lived with cargo shortage claims for decades. While many are not large individually, their frequency creates a persistent cost burden and significant administrative load. Reporting from The Swedish Club in 2023 illustrated this dynamic in the grain trade, finding that 63% of claims involving grain bulkers were linked to cargo discrepancies, with an average claim value of US$35,000.
For shipowners and charterers, the draft survey can be a critical defence tool. As Gard P&I Club notes, without draft survey reports shipowners may have limited independent evidence to contest a shortage claim.
The paradox is clear: draft surveys are relied upon as an independent reference, yet the measurement can still be challenged once a dispute develops, particularly where objective supporting records are limited.
The most constructive way to address this persistent issue is to strengthen the supporting documentation. A verifiable, time-stamped record changes how disputes are handled—not by preventing discrepancies, but by reducing uncertainty and improving confidence. When parties can refer back to the same evidence, discussions are more likely to be resolved through analysis rather than assertion.
Digital infrastructure has a practical role here too, particularly where draft readings are likely to be scrutinised after discharge.
One example is DRFT MRKS, a draft survey app developed by Scottish maritime technology specialist Tymor Marine. Developed with bulk operations as its primary focus, DRFT MRKS seeks to strengthen the record behind draft readings by combining video capture with AI-driven analysis.
“Draft surveys are a critical tool in bulk shipping, but the reality is that the evidential record behind many readings has not kept pace with the scrutiny applied to modern cargo disputes,” said Kevin Moran, managing director of Tymor Marine.
“Surveyors need time-stamped, retrievable records that can withstand scrutiny long after a vessel has sailed. Strengthening the evidential record supports surveyors in defending their position when discrepancies arise.”
In practice, the DRFT MRKS process is straightforward. Short video footage of the vessel’s draft marks is captured using a smartphone or drone, analysed using AI and Deep Learning techniques and returned as a draft reading in minutes. The critical point is that the result is paired with a secure, time-stamped record, creating a repeatable audit trail that can be accessed later if required.
This approach reflects a wider recognition across marine risk and loss prevention communities that recorded evidence can improve confidence and agreement when readings are contested.
For surveyors, stronger documentation can support professional credibility by providing stakeholders with a clearer and more defensible evidential basis. In claims situations, surveyors are often asked to answer the same underlying questions: what was observed at the time, under what conditions and can it be verified independently?
A secure video record does not replace judgement. It supports it, by preserving what was seen at the time of the reading and strengthening the credibility of the reported outcome. It also reduces reliance on retrospective explanation long after a vessel has sailed, when conditions cannot be recreated.
“In a dispute, it’s rarely the calculation that gets challenged first. It’s the evidence behind the reading,” Kevin Moran said.
“Surveyors play a central role in establishing credibility in the cargo transaction and clear, time-stamped records help support defensible outcomes when claims arise. Tools like DRFT MRKS do not replace professional judgement, but they can support it by preserving what was observed at the time of the survey.”
No technology is a silver bullet. The adoption of any new digital approach must be balanced against operational realities, including vessel-side connectivity, data security protocols and the practicalities of use during time-critical operations.
However, the benefits of a robust record are clear. Digital capture helps preserve what was observed even in imperfect conditions such as rusted markings or marine growth. Remote capture using handheld devices or drones can also reduce the need for close-proximity readings around hulls and waterlines, offering an additional safety benefit where access is difficult.
Industry recognition for evidence-based approaches is also increasing. Tymor Marine’s DRFT MRKS recently won the IT Solutions Award – Marine at the 2025 International Bulk Journal Awards, reflecting growing interest in tools that improve traceability and strengthen the defensibility of draft survey outcomes.
The next phase of draft surveying will not be defined by disruption. It will be defined by strengthening the evidential record behind the reading.
For surveyors, that shift provides an opportunity to reinforce professional credibility and support more robust dispute outcomes through clearer, time-stamped documentation. In Australian bulk shipping, where centimetres can carry real commercial consequences, moving from observation alone to observation supported by verifiable evidence is becoming increasingly important.
This article appeared in the February | March 2026 edition of DCN Magazine