USDA-Vessel Loading Observation Services

Vessel Loading Observation services provides oversight of the loading of U.S. agricultural commodities onto ocean going vessels at U.S. ports of export to help protect the integrity of U.S. foreign food assistance programs.  VLO services provide third party observation of all cargo lots loaded to ocean vessels to reduce or eliminate the risk that anything other than clean, wholesome products, free from insect or rodent infestation or contamination, packaged in sound clean containers, are loaded for delivery to food aid programs.  VLO inspectors have the authority to direct and supervise the correction or removal of damaged products, including those damaged at the dock, port shed, truck, or rail car to the barge, container, or vessel hold. VLO inspectors document all of these observations, including necessary corrections or removal of product. Vessel Loading Observation services will be conducted on packaged cargoes loaded breakbulk into barges or palletized into barges, containers, breakbulk and bulk-style vessels.  The scope of this work will include product observation, damage prevention, damage reporting, and other ancillary duties including black lighting and tally counts.  The observer shall report losses, damage, and shortage.