Solution: Agricultural product analysis laboratory

TÜV AUSTRIA performs analyses on the entire range of cereals, feed and oilseeds.

The analysis of agri-food commodities transported by sea is essential to ensure the quality and safety of products intended for human and animal consumption. These analyses are carried out to detect any contaminants, such as mycotoxins, pesticides, heavy metals or other hazardous substances that could affect public health or product quality.

Maritime transport of agri-food products often involves long distances and exposure to variable environmental conditions, which can affect the integrity of the products. Therefore, before loading onto the transport vessel, tests are carried out to check the humidity, impurities and general condition of the cargo. Also, at the destination, additional analyses are carried out to confirm that the products have not been damaged during transport and that they comply with international food safety standards.

For wheat, rye, barley, spelt, durum wheat, sorghum, oilseeds, other cereals and cereal products, fodder and legumes, we perform a series of determinations:

INSPECTION OF GOODS TRANSPORTED ON SHIPS

Carried out with the aim of determining the quantities of cargo loaded/unloaded into/from commercial vessels, the capacity of the cargo spaces on board to receive the intended goods in good conditions, inspection of the stowage on board and their mooring, the condition of the goods handled.

   These include:

• Draft survey for bulk goods;
• Tallying for parceled goods;
• On/Off Hire Condition & Bunker Survey to determine the condition of the ship and the amount of fuel on board, in order to enter or exit the charter contract;
• Stowage & Lashing survey for goods that require proper stowage and lashing;
• Holds’/Tanks’ Inspection before loading commences for acceptance upon loading;
• Leakage tests on closure systems to prevent water infiltration into the cargo during the ship’s voyage;
• Volumetric measurements of cargo/ship holds;
• Sealing/unsealing barns and access hatches;
• Pre-discharge inspections to determine damage and loss suffered by the goods during the voyage to the port of discharge.