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SHIP INSPECTION IN SPAIN

Independent technical inspections for commercial vessels at Spanish ports.

VALENCIA Marine Services provides professional ship inspection services in Spain for shipowners, operators, managers, charterers, insurers, P&I interests, purchasers, shipyards, and other maritime stakeholders who need an independent technical assessment of a vessel, machinery item, structure, defect, or repair.

Unlike a general vessel condition survey, a ship inspection can be focused on a specific technical issue or defined area of the vessel, allowing the scope to be adapted precisely to the client's requirements.

Inspections are carried out from a Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering perspective, with findings documented through technical observations, photographs, measurements and professional reporting where required.

REQUEST A SHIP INSPECTION

WHAT IS A SHIP INSPECTION?

A ship inspection is an independent technical examination of a commercial vessel, or a specific part of the vessel, within a defined scope of work.

The inspection may be requested to assess:

a particular technical defect;
structural condition;
machinery condition;
equipment;
reported damage;
repair work;
maintenance condition;
corrosion;
abnormal deterioration;
operational concerns;
a specific vessel compartment;
documentation related to a technical issue.

The inspection scope can range from a single component or damaged area to several vessel systems or spaces.

WHEN IS A TECHNICAL SHIP INSPECTION REQUIRED?

A targeted vessel inspection can be useful whenever a client requires independent technical information without commissioning a broader full-vessel condition survey.

Typical situations include:

REPORTED TECHNICAL DEFECT

Inspection of a specific defect reported by the vessel, owner, manager or another party.

STRUCTURAL CONCERN

Examination of corrosion, cracking, deformation, wastage, coating deterioration or another structural condition.

MACHINERY PROBLEM

Independent visual assessment of a machinery failure, leakage, abnormal condition or maintenance issue.

cracking.

REPAIR INSPECTION

Inspection of repair work before, during or after completion.

TECHNICAL DISPUTE

Independent documentation where vessel condition or completed work is disputed.

MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT

Inspection of selected areas to support maintenance planning or technical management.

PRE-DOCKING INSPECTION

Technical examination before planned repair or dry-docking work.

POST-REPAIR VERIFICATION

Inspection of accessible completed repairs against the agreed scope or available documentation.

TAILORED SHIP INSPECTION SCOPE

The main advantage of a dedicated ship inspection is that the assignment can be precisely focused on the client's technical requirements.

Before attendance, the inspection scope should identify:

vessel;
technical issue;
affected area;
relevant machinery or equipment;
purpose of inspection;
documents available;
required measurements;
photographs required;
reporting requirements;
any follow-up attendance.

This prevents unnecessary inspection of areas unrelated to the assignment and lets the surveyor focus on the relevant technical evidence.

HULL AND STRUCTURAL INSPECTION

A technical ship inspection may focus specifically on vessel structure.

Accessible areas may include:

shell plating;
decks;
bulkheads;
frames;
stiffeners;
brackets;
floors;
longitudinals;
tank structures;
hatch coamings;
foundations;
visible welds;
structural connections.

The inspection may identify visible:

corrosion;
coating breakdown;
deformation;
buckling;
cracking;
fractures;
mechanical damage;
wasted structures;
previous repairs;
areas requiring additional investigation.

INTERNAL STRUCTURE AND TANK INSPECTION

Where specifically requested and where appropriate safe access arrangements are provided, the inspection may include internal spaces such as:

ballast tanks;
void spaces;
cofferdams;
cargo tanks where applicable;
forepeak or aft peak spaces;
other accessible compartments.

Technical observations may include:

structural corrosion;
coating condition;
frames and stiffeners;
brackets;
bulkheads;
tank top structures;
weld condition;
deformation;
visible cracking;
evidence of leakage;
previous repair work.

Confined-space inspection remains subject to safe-entry procedures, atmosphere testing, access, lighting and vessel safety arrangements.

MACHINERY INSPECTION

A Ship Inspection may be focused entirely on machinery or technical equipment.

Depending on the assignment, accessible equipment may include:

main engine;
auxiliary engines;
generators;
turbochargers;
gearboxes;
pumps;
compressors;
separators;
boilers;
heat exchangers;
steering gear;
shafting;
propulsion equipment;
piping systems;
valves;
electrical equipment;
machinery foundations.

Observations may address:

visible leaks;
corrosion;
contamination;
abnormal wear;
loose components;
damaged foundations;
maintenance condition;
previous repair work;
apparent external defects.

Unless specifically agreed, visual machinery inspection does not include internal dismantling, performance testing or laboratory analysis.

PROPULSION AND STEERING SYSTEM INSPECTION

Where required, the inspection may focus on propulsion or steering components such as:

propeller;
propeller blades;
shafting;
stern tube area;
rudder;
rudder stock;
rudder bearings;
steering gear;
hydraulic systems;
linkages;
supporting structures.

Certain components may require dry-dock or underwater access.

DECK MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

Technical inspection may include relevant deck machinery and shipboard equipment such as:

anchors;
anchor chain;
windlasses;
mooring winches;
capstans;
cranes;
derricks;
hatch-cover systems;
hydraulic equipment;
visible deck piping;
fittings;
lifting equipment.

The scope should specify whether operational testing is required or whether the assignment is limited to visual examination.

Documentation is reviewed only to the extent relevant to the agreed assignment.

CARGO SPACE INSPECTION

A damage survey and a formal cause investigation are not always the same assignment.

Where the client requests an assessment of probable cause, the surveyor may consider:

physical damage pattern;
location of damage;
deformation direction;
machinery condition;
vessel records;
incident sequence;
available photographs;
technical drawings;
witness or crew information supplied;
other relevant evidence.

A technical conclusion regarding causation should only be expressed where the available evidence supports it.

Where evidence is insufficient, the report should identify that limitation rather than speculate.

DEFECT INSPECTION

A client may appoint a marine surveyor specifically to investigate a reported defect.

Examples include:

structural crack;
plate deformation;
unusual corrosion;
leaking pipe;
failed valve;
damaged pump;
machinery leakage;
rudder play;
hatch-cover damage;
damaged crane component;
abnormal vibration evidence;
damaged equipment foundation.

The surveyor documents the condition observed and identifies where additional testing or dismantling may be required.

DAMAGE REPAIR FOLLOW-UP SURVEY

Independent inspection can also be provided during vessel repairs.

The assignment may include:

BEFORE REPAIR

Documenting the original defect or damaged condition.

DURING REPAIR

Inspecting areas exposed following dismantling or removal of damaged material.

AFTER REPAIR

Documenting the visible completed repair within the agreed inspection scope.

Repair approval required by Classification Societies, Flag States or statutory authorities remains subject to those organisations.

REPAIR VERIFICATION

When requested, an inspection can document whether specified work appears to have been performed in accessible areas.

The surveyor may review:

repair specification;
photographs;
drawings;
visible workmanship;
replacement components;
repaired structural areas;
available repair records.

The exact wording of any verification should reflect what was actually observed and should not imply certification beyond the surveyor's appointment.

CORROSION AND STRUCTURAL DETERIORATION

Corrosion is a frequent focus of commercial vessel inspection.

The survey may document:

general corrosion;
localised corrosion;
pitting;
coating breakdown;
rust scale;
wasted structural members;
corrosion around welds or brackets;
areas potentially requiring thickness measurement.

Visual inspection alone cannot accurately establish remaining plate thickness.

Where required, arrange ultrasonic thickness measurements separately.

ADDITIONAL TESTING AND INVESTIGATION

Where visual findings indicate that further technical evidence is required, additional inspection may be recommended.

This can include:

ultrasonic thickness measurements;
ultrasonic testing;
magnetic particle inspection;
dye penetrant testing;
other NDT methods;
shaft alignment checks;
vibration analysis;
oil analysis;
pressure testing;
electrical testing;
machinery dismantling;
underwater inspection;
laboratory analysis.

This work is included only where specifically agreed.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION

Photographs provide an objective record of the condition at the time of attendance.

Depending on the inspection, photographs may show:

general vessel area;
exact defect location;
detailed close-up;
structural relationship;
measurements;
corrosion;
machinery condition;
repair stages;
completed repair condition.

Link relevant images clearly to the corresponding technical observations in the report.

MEASUREMENTS

Where appropriate, technical measurements may include:

defect dimensions;
crack length;
deformation;
clearance;
rudder movement;
component dimensions;
damaged area dimensions;
other relevant measurable conditions.

Any measuring equipment and methodology should be appropriate to the required level of accuracy.

TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION REVIEW

Depending on the assignment, relevant documents may include:

General Arrangement;
structural drawings;
machinery drawings;
repair specifications;
class documents;
technical manuals;
maintenance records;
previous survey reports;
photographs;
defect reports;
repair invoices;
service reports.

Consider only documentation relevant to the agreed inspection.

SHIP INSPECTION PROCEDURE

1. DEFINE THE TECHNICAL ISSUE

The client explains precisely what requires inspection.

2. PROVIDE VESSEL INFORMATION

The basic vessel and attendance details are provided.

3. REVIEW AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS

Review relevant technical documentation where available.

6. DOCUMENT THE FINDINGS

Observations, photographs and relevant measurements are recorded.

4. ATTEND THE VESSEL

The marine surveyor attends the vessel, terminal, shipyard or agreed location.

5. CARRY OUT THE TECHNICAL INSPECTION

The specified vessel area, structure, machinery or equipment is examined.

8. ISSUE THE REPORT

Where applicable, a professional technical inspection report is prepared.

7. IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION

Further testing may be recommended where visual inspection alone is insufficient.

PROFESSIONAL SHIP INSPECTION REPORT

A written report may include:

vessel identification;
IMO number;
inspection date;
inspection location;
appointing party;
instructions received;
technical issue investigated;
scope of inspection;
inspection conditions;
documents reviewed;
factual observations;
photographs;
measurements;
identified defects;
technical findings;
areas requiring additional investigation;
recommendations where appropriate;
survey limitations.

The report is structured according to the purpose of the assignment rather than using a generic checklist for every vessel.

WHAT A SHIP INSPECTION DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDE

Unless specifically included within the appointment, an independent ship inspection does not automatically constitute:

Classification Society survey;
statutory survey;
Flag State inspection;
Port State Control inspection;
certification of seaworthiness;
destructive examination;
NDT;
machinery dismantling;
machinery performance testing;
underwater survey;
laboratory testing;
ultrasonic thickness measurement.

This distinction keeps the service technically accurate and avoids representing an independent surveyor as a statutory authority.

SHIP INSPECTION VS SHIP CONDITION SURVEY

These services are related but have different purposes.

SHIP INSPECTION

A Ship Inspection generally targets a specific technical issue, component, vessel area, defect, or repair.

SHIP CONDITION SURVEY

A Ship Condition Survey provides a broader assessment of the vessel's apparent overall condition according to an agreed scope.

SHIP CONDITION SURVEY

SHIP INSPECTION VS MARINE DAMAGE SURVEY

A Marine Damage Survey is specifically associated with a reported casualty, incident or damaged condition.

A Ship Inspection may be requested even where no casualty has occurred—for example, to inspect maintenance condition, a technical defect, equipment or a completed repair.

Where the assignment follows collision, grounding or another marine casualty:

MARINE DAMAGE SURVEY

SHIP INSPECTION AND PORT STATE CONTROL

A ship inspection may also identify technical deficiencies relevant to operational readiness.

Where the specific objective is preparation for a Port State Control inspection or technical support following PSC detention, use the dedicated service.

PSC PREPARATION & POST-DETENTION SUPPORT

WHO APPOINTS A SHIP INSPECTOR?

Independent ship inspections may be requested by:

shipowners;
ship managers;
vessel operators;
charterers;
insurers;
P&I interests;
purchasers;
brokers;
shipyards;
lawyers;
financial interests;
engineering companies;
other maritime stakeholders.

The inspection is carried out according to the appointing client's instructions.

SHIP INSPECTION AT SPANISH PORTS

VALENCIA Marine Services provides commercial ship inspection coverage in Spain at major Spanish ports.

Regular survey locations include:

Valencia • Sagunto • Castellón • Alicante • Cartagena • Tarragona • Barcelona • Algeciras

Inspection at other Spanish ports may also be arranged, subject to location, vessel schedule, inspection requirements and surveyor availability.

WHY APPOINT VALENCIA MARINE SERVICES?

INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT

The inspection is performed according to the agreed technical scope and evidence available during attendance.

NAVAL ARCHITECTURE & MARINE ENGINEERING

We assess structural and machinery observations from an engineering perspective.

TARGETED INSPECTIONS

The service can focus precisely on the particular defect, component or technical issue requiring assessment.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE

Significant findings are documented visually where practicable.

TECHNICAL REPORTING

Observations, measurements, evidence and recommendations are presented clearly.

REPAIR FOLLOW-UP

Where required, inspections can be performed before, during and following repairs.

EXPERIENCED MARINE SURVEYOR

Carlos Montamarta is a Naval Architect & Marine Engineer with more than 20 years of professional experience in marine surveying and ship inspection.

His marine survey assignments combine extensive practical vessel inspection experience with technical expertise in ship structures, marine machinery, marine engineering, damage assessment and technical reporting.

Professional marine surveying services are provided through VALENCIA Marine Services SLU.

INDEPENDENT • DISCREET • PROFESSIONAL

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS A SHIP INSPECTION?

A ship inspection is an independent technical examination of a vessel, a specific vessel area, a machinery item, a structure, a defect or a repair according to a defined scope of work.

WHAT CAN A MARINE SURVEYOR INSPECT ON A SHIP?

Depending on the assignment, inspection may cover hull structures, tanks, cargo spaces, machinery, propulsion systems, deck equipment, defects, corrosion or completed repairs.

CAN I REQUEST AN INSPECTION OF ONLY ONE COMPONENT?

Yes. A ship inspection can be limited to a specific component, system or technical issue.

CAN YOU INSPECT A SHIP REPAIR?

Yes. Independent attendance can be arranged before, during or after repair work according to the required scope.

CAN YOU INSPECT BALLAST TANKS?

Yes, where ballast tank inspection is specifically required and the vessel provides appropriate safe-entry conditions and access arrangements.

CAN YOU INSPECT SHIP MACHINERY?

Yes. Accessible machinery may be visually inspected. Internal dismantling, testing or specialist analysis must be separately agreed where required.

DO YOU PERFORM ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS?

Thickness measurements are not automatically included in a visual ship inspection and should be specifically arranged where required.

CAN YOU ATTEND TO AN URGENT TECHNICAL PROBLEM?

Urgent attendance may be considered subject to vessel location, access conditions and surveyor availability.

DOES YOUR SHIP INSPECTION REPLACE A CLASS SURVEY?

No. An independent ship inspection does not replace surveys or approvals required by Classification Societies, Flag States or other competent authorities.

IS SHIP INSPECTION THE SAME AS A CONDITION SURVEY?

No. A ship inspection can focus on a specific technical issue or vessel area, while a Ship Condition Survey generally assesses broader vessel condition.