Since 1847, Inchcape Shipping Services has provided the local knowledge and means to deliver port calls that enable businesses to ship smoothly and trade successfully. Global Head – Survey & Inspection Captain Atul Shukla spoke to Inside Marine about how the role of the Marine Surveyor is becoming more important than ever.
In a world of rapidly evolving technology, improved data gathering and stricter regulations, clients in the Survey and Inspection (S&I) industry increasingly expect companies like Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) to convert the information gathered into actionable insight.
“Expectations are changing significantly,” said Captain Atul Shukla, Global Head – Survey & Inspection. “S&I is moving from being primarily a compliance function to becoming a source of operational and commercial intelligence. The industry is shifting from reactive inspection to proactive advisory support. A good survey now helps customers reduce downtime, manage maintenance more effectively, protect asset value and make better commercial decisions.”
A changing landscape
It is no secret that increasingly complex regulations in the modern S&I industry are playing a role in reshaping expectations from clients. Shipping is becoming more complex, more transparent and more accountable. Meanwhile, the role of the surveyor has expanded.
It is no longer enough to confirm whether a vessel meets a particular requirement. Customers now expect insight, context and practical recommendations. This places greater emphasis on the surveyor’s ability to interpret findings objectively, apply professional judgement and reach conclusions that clients can rely on, and defend, when making decisions.
“Ultimately, clients want more than a report,” Captain Shukla said. “They want to understand what the findings mean, what the risk is, what action is required and what the commercial consequences could be. The expectation has moved from ‘tell me whether I comply’ to ‘tell me what this means for my operation, my risk exposure and my commercial performance’.”
ISS is a global maritime and port management company that coordinates logistics and services for ships when they arrive in port. Its S&I division acts as an independent provider of maritime risk mitigation, asset protection and regulatory compliance. ISS has a global network of over 250 proprietary offices across 61 countries and a team of more than 3,200 committed professionals. The company made its name by combining worldwide infrastructure with local expertise.
Historically, many surveys were triggered by an incident, transaction, claim or regulatory requirement. Today, customers increasingly use S&I as part of broader asset management and risk management. Inspection findings can influence maintenance planning, chartering decisions, insurance discussions, repair strategies and investment decisions.
“Compliance and claims will remain fundamental, but there is opportunity to use S&I much earlier in the decision-making process,” explained Captain Shukla. “For shipowners and operators, this means identifying potential problems before they become expensive repairs. Condition assessments, underwater inspections and predictive maintenance can help optimise maintenance planning, improve vessel availability and protect asset value.”
Decarbonisation regulations are also broadening the scope of surveys. Hull condition, biofouling, propeller performance, fuel efficiency and emissions are becoming increasingly interconnected. Surveyors therefore need to understand not only the physical condition of the vessel, but how that condition affects environmental and commercial performance.
“S&I can also support owners in understanding the technical implications of evolving environmental requirements, providing reliable information for compliance and improvement planning,” said Captain Shukla. “So, while S&I may not design the next generation of zero-emission vessels, it can help today’s fleet operate more efficiently, reduce avoidable emissions and make better-informed sustainability investments.”
Technology & the human element
Technology is already supporting surveyors in carrying out inspections more safely and efficiently. Drones are used in key locations, while ROVs support hull inspections. Data and analysis can also help customers better understand their vessels and inform operational decisions. The value of these tools, though, ultimately depends on the expertise used to interpret their findings.
In the future, digital twins, AI and continuous condition monitoring could also fundamentally change vessel maintenance by moving the industry from periodic assessment towards a more dynamic understanding of asset condition.
“This supports a shift from calendar-based maintenance towards condition-based and predictive maintenance,” continued Captain Shukla. “Owners can identify deterioration earlier, plan interventions around vessel schedules and potentially reduce unexpected failures, downtime and repair costs. However, the greatest value comes when digital data is combined with inspection evidence and experienced technical judgement.”
Similarly, high-definition imaging and video records improve transparency and allow findings to be reviewed and shared.
“Technology would enhance rather than replace the surveyor,” said Captain Shukla. “An algorithm may identify an anomaly, but understanding its significance requires professional experience and operational context. The real opportunity comes when these technologies are connected with vessel history, maintenance records and performance data. This allows us to move towards predictive surveying, less time collecting information and more time converting information into meaningful technical and commercial intelligence.”
Similarly, while automation will transform how information is collected and processed, professional judgement will remain at the heart of marine surveying. Human expertise is particularly important when dealing with complex incidents where technical, contractual, environmental and operational factors overlap.
As Captain Shukla explained, such situations rarely follow a textbook scenario: “The surveyor must ask: why has this happened? How serious is it? Is it developing? What are the potential consequences for safety, operations, asset value or insurance? And what is the most practical response?”
Future-ready
Moving forward, the amount of data that companies like ISS have access to is only going to increase. But more data does not automatically produce better decisions. As technology becomes ever more sophisticated, so too does the importance of human judgement increase.
“The surveyor’s role is to understand which information matters, how reliable it is and how different findings relate to the vessel’s operational context,” explained Captain Shukla. “For example, AI may be able to identify a corrosion pattern or an unusual machinery reading, but the surveyor must determine whether it is normal deterioration, an emerging defect or a significant operational risk. That requires experience and technical judgement.”
Ultimately, technology provides evidence; professional expertise provides interpretation and accountability. The objective is not simply to generate more data, but to turn better data into better decisions.
For ISS clients, this means having confidence that inspection findings have been assessed objectively, that risks have been properly understood and that recommendations are grounded in professional expertise. Technology can support this process, but the surveyor remains responsible for interpreting the evidence and providing conclusions that stand up to scrutiny.
In the future, the most successful organisations will be those that combine technology with professional judgement, independence and practical marine experience.
“Perhaps the most important trend will be the evolution of the surveyor,” said Captain Shukla, in conclusion. “Future professionals will combine traditional maritime expertise with digital, analytical and regulatory skills. I see the industry moving from inspection to intelligence, from periodic assessment to continuous monitoring, and from reactive response to predictive intervention.”