Assisting importers, exporters, insurance companies, brokers, attorneys and financial institutions, our experienced marine surveyors are well-qualified to evaluate cargo condition and determine the cause and extent of damage.
We provide our worldwide client base with pre-shipment, post-shipment, loss prevention, loading, discharge and damage surveys for all types of cargo equipment – whether break bulk, containerized or in storage.
We have expertise in steel, wood, paper, rubber, coffee, machinery, electronics, food products, pharmaceuticals, general consumer goods and dry bulk commodities. We are also able to assist with:
Secure assistance with condition and mitigation for insurance. We can provide:
Lloyd’s Agents are appointed for their professionalism and expertise as well as continued training and examination, which ensure that they achieve and maintain skills to meet ongoing changes in the insurance and cargo surveying fields. Currently, there are over 300 Lloyd’s Agents and close to 340 Sub Agents in every major port and commercial center in the world.
We are proud to be part of Lloyd’s Agency Network and operate multiple Lloyd’s Agencies in the Southeastern United States, including New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; Mobile, Alabama; and the Florida ports of Tampa, Jacksonville and Cape Canaveral.
Changes in the maritime industry are expected to occur due to geopolitical shifts during the year. These changes will influence economic reasoning and patterns. With 80% of the world’s raw and completed products moving via merchant vessels, changes affecting the maritime sector will impact product costs for consumers.
The technical areas of maritime shipping increase rapidly with multiple ways of reducing emissions from dual-fuel engines and wind assistance and to computerized control of engines, wind assistance, and route planning. With these increasing technical advances, the certification and ongoing inspections of the systems grow more difficult. Technical advancements are also being made for vessel inspections. One of the fastest growing in all forms of vessel inspections is the use of drones.
Methanol has become the most popular alternative fuel for vessels in the global new build orderbook alongside LNG, but its high cost has kept operators from signing up for the fuel in the long term. The industrialization of technology and the commercial development for vessel fueling did not progress as quickly as expected.
Mondi Semsar joined the firm in 2024, bringing over a decade of expertise in bulk commodity management, operational efficiency, USDA grade standards for grain inspection, and quality control. Prior to this, he worked as a Surveyor and Bulk Commodity Supervisor at Russell Marine Group and served as a Manager and Instructor in the health and wellness industry. With specialized knowledge in large-scale grain operations and regulatory compliance, both domestically and internationally, Mondi applies a holistic, disciplined approach to every project, prioritizing precision, safety, and client engagement.
Matt began marine surveying in 2014 and has experience with damage causation, reviewing transit plans, new construction, cargo transfers, salvage operations, on/off charters, and general condition surveys. He joined the Hull & Machinery department at DLS in 2019.
Charles joined the firm in 2024, after managing an enterprise drone service provider based in New Orleans. He also teaches basic and advanced UAV class at Delgado Community College. Charles has extensive experience planning, flying complex missions in the Industrial, Chemical and Oil & Gas industries.
Mr. Boudreaux has 15 years experience with offshore supply vessels, crewboats, and anchor handling tugs. During this time, he served 8 years in vessel repair and new construction, 3 years in vessel operation and logistics, and 4 years as a vessel port captain.
Mr. Boudreaux served over 3 years as a marine surveyor performing numerous types of surveys in the marine industry prior to joining DLS.
Mr. Laskay joined Stickney, Dufour & Associates, Inc. in 1988 as a partner. He is now of Counsel. He became a Marine Surveyor in 1974, having gained prior experience in steamship agency, bulk cargo handling and vessel operations. He has been involved in many aspects of marine surveying including hull, machinery and cargo, both inland and ocean. Since becoming an Accredited Senior Appraiser of commercial marine equipment, he has been active with the American Society of Appraisers’ International Machinery and Technical Specialties Committee. He has written a comprehensive exam for the Commercial Marine Appraisal specialty and has written a 30-hour course for the American Society of Appraisers on appraising commercial marine vessels and yachts and is the lead instructor.
Email: nlaskay@dlsmarine.com
Harry Ward is the President of Dufour, Laskay & Strouse, Inc. Harry is a US Navy veteran and has spent much of the past decade in the maritime industry in sales, finance and general management. He has extensive experience in asset and business valuation and is working to maintain DLS leadership in marine appraisal and survey for another 50 years. Harry is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and served as a helicopter pilot and survival instructor through multiple tours of duty. He has an MBA from San Diego State University.