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The Company  

E.L. Johnson’s Sons & Mowat are one of the longest established Marine Cargo surveyors in the UK and we celebrated our 125^th Anniversary in 2010. We are one of the three founder members of The British Association of Cargo Surveyors. 

 We carry out all types of surveys related to the marine market; such as condition, pre-shipment, loading/discharge, damage, risk-assessment, documentary review, counter-opinion, loading and discharge surveys etc.  

Where necessary we arrange salvage sales of distressed / damaged / abandoned cargoes and are committed to obtaining the maximum returns for the benefit of the cargo owner and/or their insurers. 

Our main principals are Cargo insurers in UK, USA, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and China. We also carry out work for lawyers, Courts and cargo owners/traders. The company has a long experience and knowledge of the market. Presentation of Reports and documentation can be tailored to client’s requirements by traditional means or electronic formats. 

In addition we handle a significant large volume CMR/RHA carrier’s liability account for some of the largest UK / Continental haulage/ferry operators, primarily for refrigerated transport, and including dry transport and ferry operations. 

ELJSM provide services throughout the UK and further a field operating from principal offices in London (Ilford), Liverpool (Birkenhead), and Antwerp, with satellite offices located in Hull and Sheerness. We have a particular reciprocal-association with surveyors in Mombasa, Amsterdam, Hamburg and throughout France. 

The Liverpool office is particularly well sited for quick access to all of Ireland via low-cost air connections or overnight ferry and we are frequently traveling there. The Antwerp office has been a recent development and one that has been extremely successful due to its excellent location and the quality of service. 

We have close association with surveyors located in many other parts of the world as a result of previously working directly with those companies in their country.   

Our personnel 

In addition to the 3 Directors-Senior Surveyors we employ full-time experienced surveyors and additional back-up office staff at all principal offices. ELJSM have a policy of introducing younger people into the profession in order to gain experience and expertise for the future and to add benefit to our company.

Our surveyors are members of various Professional associations such as British Association of Cargo Surveyors, British International Freight Association, Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, International Meat Traders Association, Chartered Insurance Institute, and serve on various committees such as UK P&I ‘Carefully to Carry’, British Association of Cargo Surveyors, International Refrigerated Transport Association, Cocoa Trade Federation, and the Federation du Commerce des Cacaos. 

We are experienced in handling surveys in difficult or challenging circumstances throughout the UK, Eire, Belgium and further afield. Our surveyors have worked in many areas of the world including recent visits to USA, Indonesia, Denmark, Japan, Switzerland, Israel, Syria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Togo, India, Korea, Finland, Dubai.

Service Levels 

E.L. Johnson’s are committed to providing a professional and competent service to our principals. 

ELJSM are familiar with the requirements of our principals in relation to FSA or Wolf recommendations and have conformed to their specific requirements. Essentially we recognise the need to deal with all matters of communication and documentation promptly and in an open manner and to continually liaise with all parties, strictly without prejudice to the Insurers’ liability.  

Instructions are acknowledged within 24 hours of receipt and we carry out instructions as soon as practicable. Initial advises will be given as soon as possible but no more than 48 hours after initial survey has completed.  Interim reports will be issued as appropriate and final reports whilst seeking to contain as much relevant information as possible will not be unduly delayed if information/documentation cannot be obtained.  

We are always mindful of protecting recovery rights on behalf of our principals and time-bar limitations. 

ELJSM are ready to consider any specific service requirements that our principals may have. 

 Fees and Charges. 

We consider that our rates compare favourably with the marketplace and are in accordance with the level of expertise and application that we apply. ELJSM recognize that each instruction may have its own peculiar characteristics or requirements and discussion with principals in relation to particular work may be appropriate.