Grain Cargo

At OceanEx, we specialize in providing high-level technical services to the global maritime and insurance communities for the safe transport, condition monitoring, and claims management of grain cargoes, including the grains shipped from the United States, as one of the world’s foremost agricultural exporters.

Our work is grounded in a deep operational understanding of the regulatory environment surrounding U.S. grain exports, including compliance with USDA, the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), and other U.S. governmental oversight protocols. This expertise ensures that our clients’ interests are protected in line with the highest standards of transparency, documentation, and quality assurance.

We act as the trusted partner to IG P&I Clubs, shipowners, charterers, underwriters, and cargo interests, thereby providing timely, impartial, and technically sound support from load port to the receiving port.

Our team’s hands-on familiarity with U.S. terminal operations, USDA-grain export documentation systems, and real-time coordination with federal inspectors gives us a unique edge when conducting critical loading supervision. Our service includes:

Pre-loading Surveys & Inspections

• Hold suitability and cleanliness inspections based on USDA/FGIS standards
• Oversight of grain loading operations, ensuring proper sampling, segregation, and representative testing
• Review of Official Export Inspection Certificates issued under the U.S. Grain Standards Act
• Verification of cargo grade, weight, and quality aligned with FGIS certification protocols
• Coordination with National Cargo Bureau (NCB) and USDA-accredited inspectors

Voyage Monitoring & Risk Mitigation

• Expert advice on cargo stowage planning and trimming to minimize grain shift and instability
• Verification of compliance with the IMO Grain Code, including grain stability calculations
• Real-time guidance on ventilation strategies to manage condensation risks across variable climate zones
• Advisory on fumigation procedures and grain preservation under USDA and international guidance

Post-Unloading and Damage Investigations

• On-hire/off-hire and grain residue surveys
• Investigation of damage claims related to wetting, infestation, heating, or shortage
• Access to accredited laboratories for grain quality testing and comparative analysis against original FGIS standards
• Documentation review, including logs, sensor data, USDA certificates, and vessel performance records

Claims Handling & Root Cause Analysis

Independent forensic investigation of cargo deterioration, including causation tracing (ventilation, stowage, contamination)

Evaluation of charter party terms, USDA/IMO handling deviations, and regulatory non-conformities

Assistance in determining liabilities between the ship, shore, and third-party handlers

Clear, structured reporting in support of litigation, arbitration, and insurance claim resolution

Grain Types We Cover

OceanEx supports clients across a broad spectrum of grain types, including:

• Wheat (Hard Red Winter, Soft Red Winter, Durum)
• Corn (Yellow Maize, White Maize)
• Soybeans
• Sorghum
• Barley
• Oats
• Canola and Rapeseed
• Millet and Rye
• DDGS (for grain stability, loaded under IMO Grain Code)

We understand the unique physical, biological, and regulatory characteristics of grains, from moisture thresholds and insect susceptibility to USDA grading tolerances and vessel-specific stowage considerations.