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Global geopolitical tensions have reached a critical point once again. Since early June 2025, the protracted conflict between Israel and Iran has erupted, sparking global concerns about a military escalation in the Middle East. The United States airstrike on several Iranian nuclear facilities—including Fordow and Natanz—on June 21st triggered a new wave of risks, particularly in the logistics and energy sectors. Although a ceasefire was declared at midnight on June 23rd, many believe the situation remains fragile and has the potential to disrupt global maritime trade routes.
Under these conditions, shipping goods—especially high-value ones—faces multiple risks: delays at ports, sudden route changes, security breaches, and a high likelihood of physical damage due to operational pressures.
Unfortunately, despite this urgency, many business owners still ignore the importance of an Independent Marine Survey (IMS). This could be due to cost-effectiveness, overconfidence in internal systems, or simply ignorance. Yet, in the context of high-value shipments, not using an IMS can lead to failed claims and significant losses.
This article will thoroughly discuss what an IMS is, why many parties are still reluctant to use it, and why, in times of global uncertainty like now, the presence of an independent surveyor is an important part of your business protection strategy.
What is an Independent Marine Survey?
In the world of shipping goods, especially high-value and high-risk goods, the presence of an Independent Marine Surveyor (IMS) is vital. Simply put, an IMS is a professional tasked with inspecting and assessing the condition of goods and their shipping process in a neutral and independent manner—without bias toward the shipper, recipient, or insurance company.
The primary role of an independent surveyor is to conduct thorough inspections at various stages of shipping, including packing, loading, transportation, temporary storage, and unloading at the destination. They document the condition of the goods in detail and provide objective and reliable reports that serve as strong evidence in the event of damage, loss, or insurance claims.
It’s important to distinguish an IMS from an in-house surveyor at a shipping company or insurance company. An in-house surveyor typically works for a specific company and focuses on specific aspects. Meanwhile, an IMS acts as a neutral party, ensuring all processes comply with safety and quality standards, while maintaining data transparency and objectivity.
With an IMS, the risk of disputes between parties such as shippers, recipients, and insurance companies can be minimized because all findings and conditions are professionally and independently documented. This greatly assists in the claims process in the event of damage or loss of goods.
In short, IMS is the independent “eyes and ears” that ensure your high-value goods are handled properly during transit. They are not just inspectors, but also protectors of all parties’ interests, ensuring smooth shipments without the risk of costly claims.
Why Do Many Refuse to Use IMS?
Although Independent Marine Surveys (IMS) offer numerous benefits for shipping high-value goods, many businesses remain reluctant to use these services. Several common reasons arise in the field—most of which stem from misconceptions.
- Assumption of Additional Costs
Many goods owners and exporters view IMS as an extra expense that can be reduced. However, compared to the potential losses from damaged goods, loss, or insurance claim denials, the cost of IMS is very small. Unfortunately, many focus solely on short-term savings and neglect long-term protection.
- Lack of Education
Many people still don’t fully understand the concrete functions and benefits of IMS. Some assume that surveys are simply conducted by the forwarder or carrier, unaware that these parties have conflicts of interest and don’t always provide impartial reports.
- “So far everything has been safe”
This is a classic excuse often heard: “I used to ship without IMS, no problem.” But in reality, a single incident can wipe out the profits of dozens of previous shipments. Risks may be rare, but the impact when they occur can be significant.
- Overconfidence in Packing and Handling
Some exporters are overconfident in the quality of their packaging or the experience of their logistics team. However, damage can occur due to many external factors—extreme weather, port errors, third-party negligence—all of which are beyond the company’s internal control.
Real Risks Without STIs
Ignoring the role of an Independent Marine Surveyor is not just a matter of skipping procedures, but also opening up significant financial risks. Many property owners only realize the importance of an IMS after a loss has occurred—and unfortunately, it’s too late.
Here are some real risks that often occur without the involvement of an independent surveyor:
- Insurance Claim Rejected
One of the most common reasons for the denial of Marine Cargo Insurance claims is the lack of objective evidence regarding the condition of the goods during loading or upon arrival at their destination. Without an IMS report, it becomes difficult to determine whether the damage occurred before, during, or after shipping.
Real example:
A heavy equipment distribution company shipped an excavator worth Rp 4 billion to Kalimantan. The goods were severely damaged upon arrival at the site. The insurance claim was denied due to the lack of neutral third-party documentation (IMS), and the shipping company’s internal surveyor determined the damage occurred before loading. Without an IMS, the company had no rebuttal.
- Disputes with Third Parties
Without an IMS, if damage or loss occurs, accusations can arise between the goods owner, the shipping company, the forwarder, or the port authority. These disputes can be time-consuming and costly.
- Reputational Loss
If goods are delivered damaged and the client fails to receive them on schedule or according to specifications, your business reputation could be tarnished. This is especially risky for exports, government projects, or long-term B2B projects.
In cases like this, IMS acts as a data keeper and independent witness that can strengthen claims and save your business from greater losses.
Short Case Study: When a Claim Fails Due to the Lack of an Independent Surveyor
To provide a more realistic picture, here is one case that has occurred in the field and is an important lesson for many business actors in the logistics and export sectors:
Case Study: Industrial Machinery Delivery to Surabaya
An exporter shipped textile production machinery worth Rp 3.5 billion from Jakarta to Surabaya by ship. The goods were packed in wooden crates with foam padding inside. The shipment was handled by a forwarder that also provided marine cargo insurance through a third-party insurance company.
The exporter did not use the services of an Independent Marine Surveyor, because he felt that the packing process was safe and the shipping was relatively short distance.
However, when the goods arrived at the port of Surabaya, the engine suffered serious damage: there was a hard impact on the gearbox which caused the unit to be inoperable.
When an insurance claim was submitted, the insurance company rejected the claim on the grounds:
- There are no independent reports proving the condition of the goods during loading.
- There is no official photo/video documentation from a neutral party.
- It is unclear whether the damage occurred during loading, during shipping, or during unloading.
The exporter attempted to hold the carrier accountable, but they argued that the damage could have been caused by substandard packaging. As a result, no one accepted full responsibility, and the exporter borne the losses solely.
Which is an important lesson, jIf IMS had been involved from the outset, damage could have been detected or prevented. At the very least, neutral documentation could have strengthened the exporter’s position in the claims and investigation process.
The Role of Insurance Brokers: Bridging Interests and Reminding of Hidden Risks
In the insurance industry, particularly for high-value maritime shipments, an insurance broker’s role extends beyond policy and premium management. Experienced brokers like L&G Insurance Brokers act as both risk consultants and advocates for their clients, responsible for ensuring that any potential losses are minimized before they occur.
One concrete manifestation of this role is reminding and advising our clients to use the services of an Independent Marine Surveyor (IMS) for certain shipments, particularly if the shipment:
- Involving large amounts of goods (up to billions of rupiah)
- Using high-risk modes of transportation
- Have items that are sensitive to vibration, humidity, or changes in position
- Or potentially experience complicated claims if damage occurs.
We recognize that in practice, IMS use is often perceived as an “avoidable additional cost.” However, as a broker that prioritizes long-term protection and ease of claims for clients, we consistently provide education on:
- The importance of neutral and objective documentation as supporting evidence in claims
- The potential for large losses that may occur if there is no independent survey
- And how IMS can strengthen the client’s position in facing disputes or claim settlements
As part of our service, the L&G Insurance Brokers team can also help recommend and connect clients with a network of professional, independent surveyors with proven track records. Furthermore, we will assist with the insurance submission process—including providing administrative and technical guidance to ensure the entire process is carried out in accordance with policy provisions.
Based on the principle of “prevention over reaction,” we believe that avoiding potential losses is the wisest step in risk management. And in the context of Marine Cargo Insurance, IMS involvement is one of the most effective prevention strategies.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Neglecting to use an Independent Marine Surveyor (IMS) when shipping high-value goods isn’t just a technical oversight—it opens you up to significant losses that could destabilize your business operations. Amidst the complexity of supply chains, varying port conditions, and transportation prone to physical and administrative risks, having an IMS is the first line of defense when risks become reality.
Especially in the Indonesian context—with its geographical challenges, varying quality of port infrastructure, and frequency of inter-island shipments—ensuring that every shipment has neutral documentation and evidence is a strategic necessity, not just an option.
As an insurance broker that understands the dynamics of shipping and logistics risks, L&G Insurance Broker consistently advises clients to integrate an IMS as part of their shipping risk management. We not only cover risks through policies, but also ensure that all processes, evidence, and administrative requirements are met to support clients’ position in the event of a claim.
Because ultimately, good insurance coverage isn’t just about having an active policy, but also about being prepared for the worst-case scenario with solid documentation and expert support on your side.
If you’re a company involved in logistics, manufacturing, energy, or infrastructure projects—and frequently ship high-value items—it’s time to reassess your protection strategy. Don’t wait until a loss occurs to realize that an IMS should have been involved from the start.
Contact the L&G Insurance Broker team today to learn how we can help you design a Marine Cargo Insurance program — tailored for you, with a comprehensive and practical approach focused on long-term business protection.
Contact us today to explore customized coverage for your next project.
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HOTLINE L&G 24 JAM: 0811-8507-773 (CALL – WHATSAPP – SMS)
Website: lngrisk.co.id
Email: oktoyar.meli@lngrisk.co.id
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