What Mundra is, and what it is not
Most inspection pages on this site describe a town where goods are made. Mundra is different: goods arrive here to be shipped. The Gujarat Maritime Board, the state's port authority, describes it as a commercial port set up by the Government of Gujarat and the Adani group through Adani Ports and SEZ (earlier GAPL).
| Item | Gujarat Maritime Board record |
|---|---|
| Container handling | Started in July 2003, on a 632 m container wharf |
| Container terminals | Operated under sub-concessions; a further terminal was awaiting state approval when the page was written |
| Rail | A 57 km broad-gauge rail link, operational since 2002 |
We give no cargo volumes here because we have not found an official, dated figure. The point for a buyer is simpler: by the time goods reach a port, quality problems are expensive to fix. Product quality is best checked at the factory with a pre-shipment inspection.
What we check at the port
A port-side visit is useful when goods from several suppliers are consolidated, when cargo is stuffed at a container freight station rather than at the factory, or when you want independent evidence of what went into the box.
| Check | What is recorded |
|---|---|
| Container condition | Container number, holes and light leaks, floor, door seals, odour, dryness and cleanliness |
| Quantity and marks | Carton or pallet count against the packing list; shipping marks and labels |
| Packing condition | Crushed, wet or torn cartons; broken pallets or crates; ISPM 15 marks on wood |
| Stowage and securing | Loading pattern, heavy goods low, dunnage, lashing and bracing, gaps filled |
| Seal | Seal number photographed on the closed doors and matched to the documents |
Consolidated loads. When goods from several suppliers share one container, send each supplier's packing list. The report then splits the count, carton condition and photos by supplier, so a shortage or damaged pallet can be traced to its source rather than argued over after arrival.
The method is the same as at a factory; see container loading supervision. Wooden pallets and crates must meet ISPM 15. Heavy, fragile goods carry the most loading risk: tiles and slabs, marble slabs and bulk bags each have their own packing checks.
What a port check cannot do
- Sealed containers: containers stuffed at a factory usually reach the port already sealed. Opening one there is a customs and terminal matter, so quality checks belong at the factory before stuffing.
- Access: terminals and freight stations need a pass. The exporter or its customs broker arranges our entry; tell us who that is when you book.
- Full product inspection: a port yard is not the place to unpack and test goods to an AQL plan. Use a factory inspection for that, and the port visit for counts, packing and loading.
- Weighing: we do not weigh containers. The shipper declares the verified gross mass; we can note the declared figure in the report.
Common loading problems
| Problem | Class |
|---|---|
| Wrong goods or a short count loaded | Critical |
| Container with holes, a damaged floor or a strong odour | Critical |
| Seal number does not match the documents | Critical |
| Wet or crushed cartons; broken pallets | Major |
| Loose load with no lashing or dunnage | Major |
| Wood packaging without an ISPM 15 mark | Major |
| Shipping marks missing on a few cartons | Minor |
How to book a loading check at Mundra
Send the shipping line's booking number, the terminal or freight station, the packing list and the planned stuffing date through the booking form for Mundra. Tell us who is arranging access.
A loading supervision is charged at US$249 per man-day. Mundra is outside our inspector base cities, so travel is charged at actual cost, quoted before you book; see pricing. The report, with photos of each loading stage and the seal, arrives within 24 hours.
Sources
Are you a quality inspector in Mundra?
We work with vetted freelance inspectors near the factories we check. You take assignments in your own area, inspect to our checklist, and Clear To Load pays you, never the factory. Apply to inspect with us.