Product Inspection
Independent Inspection. Verifiable Outcomes.
Pre-loading through to certification — every parcel inspected to ASTM D4057 and ISO 3170 with quantity surveys, sampling, and signed certificates issued on completion.
Five-Stage Workflow
From Receipt to Signed Certificate.
- 01Pre-loading
Tank and vessel condition survey, ullage measurement, prior cargo verification.
- 02Loading
Continuous witness of transfer operations. Real-time quantity monitoring.
- 03In-transit
Seal verification, cargo monitoring, and interim sampling where applicable.
- 04Discharge
Receiving vessel / tank gauging, discharge quantity verification.
- 05Certification
Certificate of Quality and Certificate of Quantity issued on completion.
- 01Pre-loading
Tank and vessel condition survey, ullage measurement, prior cargo verification.
- 02Loading
Continuous witness of transfer operations. Real-time quantity monitoring.
- 03In-transit
Seal verification, cargo monitoring, and interim sampling where applicable.
- 04Discharge
Receiving vessel / tank gauging, discharge quantity verification.
- 05Certification
Certificate of Quality and Certificate of Quantity issued on completion.
Sampling Protocols
ASTM D4057 / ISO 3170 Methods.
All sampling is conducted in strict accordance with ASTM D4057 (Petroleum Liquids) and ISO 3170 (Petroleum and Natural Gas), with technique selected to match the product grade, vessel type, and transfer method.
- Bottom-running composite (shore tanks)
- All-levels sample (tank gauging operations)
- Spot samples at defined intervals (pipeline)
- Inline automatic proportional composite (metered lines)
- Top, middle, and bottom individual samples for stratification checks
Quantity Survey Methods
Ullage Measurement
Servo-gauge and manual dip measurement of shore tank ullage before and after transfer. Reported to API MPMS Chapter 17 standards.
Tank Dipping
Manual bottom dipping for sediment and free water detection. Conducted at start and end of each transfer and reported against baseline.
Draft Surveys
Marine draft surveys for bill-of-lading quantity determination on tanker cargoes. Constant and displacement calculations to ISO 15016.
Mass-Flow Meter Verification
Verification of pipeline mass-flow meters against certified references. Results reported alongside transfer totals on the custody-transfer certificate.
Quality Parameters
What We Measure.
Density
Density at 15°C measured to ASTM D4052 by digital density meter. Corrected volume calculated and reported on the certificate.
Water Content & Sediment
Free and dissolved water by ASTM D2709 / D95. Sediment by ASTM D473. Results determine whether a parcel meets on-spec thresholds before release.
Colour & Appearance
Visual and colorimetric assessment for haze, particulates, and off-colour product. Rapid indicator of cross-contamination or degradation.
Temperature
Continuous and spot temperature measurement throughout transfer. Critical for volume correction and heated-product cargo documentation.
Reid Vapour Pressure
RVP measured to ASTM D323 or ASTM D5191 where applicable. Mandatory for gasoline-blend components and certain crude grades.
Documentation Issued
Every Parcel. Full Paper Trail.
- Certificate of Quality (CoQ)
- Certificate of Quantity (CofQ)
- Bill of Lading appendix / Ullage report
- Composite sampling report
- Seal certificate (load and discharge)
- Draft survey report (marine cargoes)
- Non-conformance notice (if applicable)
Inspector Partners
Blue Gate works with internationally accredited independent inspection bodies. Clients may nominate their preferred inspector or request arrangement through our operations team.
Partnership arrangements subject to confirmation. Contact operations to verify current approved inspector list.
Need Inspection Coverage?
Provide cargo details, port of loading or discharge, and intended transfer date. Our operations team will confirm inspector deployment within 24 hours.
Request Inspection →