National Cargo Bureau

Operating as a non-profit organization since 1952, National Cargo Bureau has built a reputation spanning over seven decades focused on the safety of life and cargo at sea. With their headquarters in New York and a nationwide network of port offices including locations in San Pedro, California, the organization serves the maritime industry through comprehensive vessel surveys, cargo inspections, and specialized training programs.

National Cargo Bureau provides extensive vessel surveying and inspection services across multiple cargo types. Their grain cargo vessel survey capabilities include certificates of readiness and loading, grain stability reviews, and grain approvals, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations. The organization also conducts bulk cargo vessel surveys for coal and other bulk materials, offering pile surveys, vessel cleanliness certificates, and hatch integrity assessments. For container vessel operations, they perform container vessel loading certificates, hazardous cargo manifest reviews, stowage and segregation reviews, and break bulk heavy lift surveys. Their container and cargo inspection services encompass hazardous container and tank inspections, structural serviceability assessments, flat rack securing inspections, and damage surveys.

The organization maintains a robust presence across major U.S. ports, with offices strategically positioned in Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Charleston, Chicago, Corpus Christi, Duluth, Houston, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, Mobile, New Orleans, Newark, Norfolk, Portland, San Francisco, Savannah, and Seattle. This extensive network enables them to deliver remote inspection services at locations worldwide, providing container inspection capabilities through innovative technology that extends their reach beyond traditional port-based operations.

National Cargo Bureau delivers comprehensive maritime training programs covering International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code compliance, 49 CFR hazardous materials transportation, OSHA maritime safety, and U.S. Coast Guard approved courses. Their training offerings include classroom instruction, correspondence courses, and online learning options covering topics such as ship stability, damage stability, grain loading, cargo securing, and the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code. The organization's Hazcheck software systems help customers comply with IMDG Code requirements when shipping dangerous goods by sea, with validation, detection, and cargo inspection tools used by nine of the top ten container lines.

Beyond surveys and training, the organization provides specialized consulting services including project cargo risk management, marine warranty surveys, shipping and handling consultations, cargo security risk assessments, warehouse risk assessments, and expert witness services. Their dangerous goods consultation services support clients with process reviews and program development for hazardous materials handling. They also perform flag state inspections and offer cargo gear certification, draft surveys, on-hire and bunker surveys, and damaged cargo claims investigations.

With their Environmental, Social and Governance policy guiding operations and a mission centered on safeguarding life and cargo through safer, smarter supply chains, National Cargo Bureau continues to serve as a critical resource for vessel operators, cargo owners, and marine terminals throughout the United States and internationally. Their combination of field expertise, technology solutions, and educational programs positions them as a comprehensive service provider in the maritime cargo safety sector.