WHAT WE OFFER
Our solutions help companies to make, distribute or sell products sustain their product quality, safety and compliance, sourcing flexibility, speed-to-market, profitability and brand security throughout the supply chain. We service all cargo shipped by: Ocean vessels, air, reefers and general purpose containers, rail, tractor trailer and postal parcel. SMS remains committed to providing reliable and high-quality pre/post shipment marine cargo surveys and logistic operations in a seamless manner, from coast to coast; port to port.
FORENSIC FIRE INVESTIGATION SERVICES
Our innovative solutions as we pertain to Forensic Engineering and Failure Analysis are designed to provide in depth documentary evidence for accidents, disasters, and product malfunction. The intention to prepare clients with the knowledge for security and prevention of unwanted circumstances in the future. Essentially, our forensic experts focus on answering these three key questions:
-
What caused the incident?
-
Is there a specific party that is responsible for the incident?
-
What measures if implemented would prevent a recurrence?
SMS Forensic Engineers and Failure Analysis created a solid team that consists of broad technical experts who has a strong background, skills, and knowledge to sustain support on numerous subject matters:
Industries
-
Claims Professionals
-
Attorneys
-
Businesses and Institutions

OUR ORIGIN + CAUSE INVESTIGATORS
Our forensic experts are ready to perform our investigative expertise in diverse origin, cause, and forensic complexity. SMS is a local and international certified forensic investigators and members of the NFPA 921 Technical Committee of Fire and Explosion Investigation. We’re supported by our broad expertise in fire sciences and investment in our in-house laboratories, industrial researches, and engineering expertise.
MARINE AND CARGO SURVEYS
CARGO SURVEYS
Port captain services
Pre-loading and out-turn surveys
Project, heavy and over-sized cargo
Condition and damage assessments
Cargo contamination surveys
Cargo securing supervision
Salvage operations and reconditioning procedures
Complete / partial claim management
Theft and non-delivery investigations
Loss assessments and adjustments
Warranty surveys
Total and large losses investigations
Freight liability surveys
Financial assessments of consequential damages
OCEAN VESSELS
Hold condition surveys
Bunker surveys
Draft surveys
Infrared thermal imaging
Hull and machinery surveys (barges, inland vessels, pleasure crafts, yachts)
On / off hire surveys
Loss assessments and adjustments
SAFETY AND TECHNICAL INSPECTION OF VESSELS
Safety inspection of vessels and issuance of certificates on behalf of Panama, Honduras, Belize, St. Vincent and Bolivia registered vessels.
Safety surveys on behalf of Pac Marine, Hong Kong. Pac Marine does the vessel surveys on behalf of large cargo transporters like Rio Tinto and BHP.
THIRD PARTY INSPECTION OF MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT
Third party inspection of engineering machinery and equipment related to an oil, gas and mining industry.

FIRE ORIGIN AND CAUSE
Fires can result in very serious injuries, damage to property and sometimes fatalities. Given the serious nature of fire incidents, it is very important to appropriately investigate all fires, understand underlying conditions that may have caused the fire and mitigate future risks. We have experts who are trained exactly in the requirements of investigating fire origins cause and gaps in safeguards. Conduct origin and cause investigations using accepted industry standards including, but not limited to appropriate digital and film photography, video, diagrams, and written/recorded statements document, collect (tags and bags), secure, and transport evidence, ensuring chain of custody procedures are followed, able to apply failure analysis knowledge, provide honest and unbiased analysis and consultation on various fires and explosion.
OUR MULTIFACETED FORENSIC SERVICES AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERTS CAN PROVIDE YOUR NEEDS AND COVER ALL KEY FIRE FORENSICS:
Electrical Fires
Process Plant Fires
Appliance Fires
Spontaneous Ignition Incidents
Arson
Wildfires
OUR FORENSIC EXPERTS ARE PROFICIENT IN INSPECTING ANY KINDS OF MACHINERY MALFUNCTIONS:
HVAC / Boilers
Product Design
Manufacturing, Industrial, and Food Processing Plants
Materials Failure
Elevators and Escalators
Vehicle Accidents
Heavy Equipment (Cranes, Lifts, Excavation Equipment)
Refineries and Petrochemical Processing
Rotating Machinery (Turbines and Engines)
EQUIPMENT LOSS CONSULTING
Dealing with technical problems in equipment and machineries can be convoluted in terms of insurance and can also be nerve-racking for the owners. The SMS equipment loss engineers provide professional assistance for the process of post-loss assessments, verifying damage levels, reducing claim expenses, and minimizing business continuity concerns, much easier for everyone involved.
PORT CAPTAINCY
Liaison with shipper, consignee, agent, owners.
Expediting turn around of vessel in port.
Daily reporting to clients on vessel’s performance.
Attendance of vessel during loading and discharging.
Stowage planning.
Stevedoring supervision.
INLAND TRANSPORTATION
Custom clearance of cargo at inland cargo delivery location.
Monitoring of cargo movement to inland destinations.
Tally of cargo at receivers warehouse.
Cargo damage survey.
Daily reporting on the cargo delivered.
Procurement of inland rates.
Assistance in tender bidding process.
Inland contract negotiation with inland carriers.
PRE SHIPMENT INSPECTION – GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
Pre shipment inspection of containers, loose cargo, bulk shipments and breakbulk shipment.
Co-ordinating inspections with exporter, inspection agency and field inspectors.
Prompt reporting to the client.
Loading supervision of cargo in the containers or on the vessels.