AUK Maritime and Shipping Services

AUK Marine & Mining provides independent ship operations support across all major South African ports — Durban, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Saldanha Bay and Port Elizabeth/Ngqura — including vessel pre-purchase inspections, MLC/ISPS/ISM audits, dry-docking supervision, RightShip and Port State Control (PSC) inspection preparation, and sale-and-purchase (S&P) support. Our team works onboard and quayside as practitioners, not only advisers.

What is a vessel pre-purchase inspection?

A vessel pre-purchase inspection is an independent condition assessment carried out before you buy a ship, so you know its true technical and commercial state before committing funds. AUK surveys hull, machinery, documentation and compliance status, and delivers a written report with a feasibility view on the purchase. We also carry out pre-purchase feasibility studies where you need a commercial go/no-go decision before a full survey.

How do you prepare a vessel for RightShip and PSC inspection?

We prepare the vessel, its documentation and its crew so the ship passes RightShip vetting and Port State Control inspection the first time. Preparation covers reviewing certificates and records against the inspection criteria, correcting likely deficiencies in advance, and briefing officers and crew on what inspectors check. This reduces the risk of detention, delay, or a poor RightShip score that affects charterability. 

What do MLC, ISPS and ISM audits cover?

These are the three core compliance audits for a trading vessel, and AUK conducts all three. The MLC (Maritime Labour Convention, 2006) audit verifies seafarer working and living conditions; the ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) audit verifies security arrangements; and the ISM (International Safety Management) audit verifies the vessel’s safety management system. We also perform navigation audits to assess bridge procedures and passage-planning practice.

Dry-docking supervision and vessel fixtures

AUK supervises dry-docking on the owner’s/Manager’s behalf to control cost, quality and schedule while the vessel is out of service. We oversee the repair specification, monitor yard work, and manage vessel fixtures so the ship returns to service on time and to standard where required.

Sale and purchase (S&P) of vessels

We support the full sale-and-purchase process, from identifying suitable tonnage to inspection, feasibility and transaction support. This pairs with our pre-purchase inspection and feasibility services so buyers and sellers have independent technical backing throughout the deal. We have S & P partners in Singapore.

Ports and regions we cover

AUK operates at South Africa’s commercial ports — Durban, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Saldanha Bay and Ngqura/Port Elizabeth — and supports vessels across the wider Southern African and Indian Ocean region. Our base is in Ramdburg, Gauteng.

AUK Marine & Mining provides port development, audit and optimisation services to port authorities, terminal operators and marine service providers in Globally. We cover port design and development, optimisation of marine services and terminal operations, cargo forecasting with predictive analytics, emergency towage and salvage, quality/safety/environmental (QSE) management systems, and port navigation and risk audits.

Port design and development

AUK supports the design and development of ports and terminals, from concept through operational readiness. We bring maritime operational experience into the planning process so that layout, marine services and cargo flows are workable in practice.

Optimising port marine services and terminal operations

We optimise how a port’s marine services and terminals actually run, to raise throughput and cut delay and cost. This includes reviewing pilotage, towage and berthing workflows and terminal handling processes to remove bottlenecks.

Cargo projections and predictive analytics

AUK produces cargo projections and applies predictive analytics so ports can plan capacity, resourcing and investment against likely demand. Data-driven forecasting supports better berth, equipment and labour planning.

Emergency towage and salvage services

We provide emergency towage and salvage support to protect vessels, port infrastructure and the marine environment during incidents. Fast, competent response limits damage, pollution and downtime.

Port risk assessment and navigation audits

We carry out port risk assessments and port navigation audits to identify hazards in marine operations and navigation before they cause incidents. These audits give port authorities an independent, practitioner-level view of operational and navigational safety.

AUK Marine & Mining is an accredited training provider offering maritime, port, logistics and business training in South Africa. We deliver  freight forwarding training, accredited ISPS port security and IMDG dangerous-goods training, onboard ship training for PSC and RightShip preparation, and business mentorship and entrepreneurship development. We are practitioners as well as instructors.

Freight forwarding training

Our freight forwarding training programmes are designed and delivered by people who work in the field, not only classroom trainers.

ISPS port security and IMDG dangerous-goods training

AUK is an accredited training provider for ISPS (port and ship security) and IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) cargo. These courses equip port, terminal and shipping personnel to meet international security and dangerous-goods handling requirements.

Onboard ship training: PSC & RightShip preparation, crew welfare and leadership

We deliver training onboard ships covering PSC and RightShip inspection preparation, crew motivation and welfare, officer and crew mindset improvement, and leadership. Training the crew in place raises inspection readiness and improves day-to-day operational performance.

Business mentorship, coaching and entrepreneurship

Beyond technical training, AUK provides business mentorship and coaching, life-skills training, and support for student entrepreneurs. This reflects our founder’s background teaching marketing and business alongside maritime practice.

Who our training is for

Our training serves seafarers and ships’ crews, port and terminal staff, freight forwarding and logistics professionals, and business owners (SMMEs) and students. Courses can be delivered onshore or onboard, depending on the programme.

AUK Marine & Mining provides end-to-end shipping and logistics services, including freight forwarding, chartering, clearing and forwarding, vessel agency, bulk handling and vessel operations, warehousing (CFS/ICD), project cargo, door-to-door logistics, NVOCC and air cargo, and claims and legal support. We move cargo across the maritime and transport value chain, by sea and air.

Freight forwarding, clearing and forwarding

AUK arranges the international movement, documentation and customs clearance of your cargo as a full-service freight forwarder. We handle clearing and forwarding so goods move across borders efficiently and compliantly.

Chartering and vessel agency

We arrange vessel chartering and act as vessel agents in port, coordinating the ship’s call, cargo operations and port formalities. This gives owners, operators and cargo interests a single point of coordination.

Bulk handling and vessel operations

AUK manages bulk handling and vessel operations, coordinating loading, discharge and cargo care for dry and bulk cargoes. Operational oversight protects cargo condition and turnaround time.

Warehousing, CFS/ICD and project cargo

We provide consolidation warehousing, Container Freight Station (CFS) and Inland Container Depot (ICD) services, and handle project cargoes that need specialised planning. This supports both routine consignments and complex, out-of-gauge shipments.

Door-to-door logistics, NVOCC and air cargo

AUK offers door-to-door logistics, NVOCC services and air cargo movement, giving you a single provider from origin to final delivery across sea and air. Multimodal coordination reduces handoffs and delay.

Claims and legal support

We support cargo claims and related legal matters so disputes and losses are handled properly. As we are also cargo surveyors.

AUK Marine & Mining provides consultancy across the maritime, port, transport, shipping and business value chain. Our services span the full maritime spectrum, from operational and regulatory advice to greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions reduction for ships and ports, and business analysis to cut cost and improve efficiency. We support clients at every stage of their business journey.

What we consult on

AUK advises across the maritime, port, transport and shipping value chain, from strategy through operations. Our industry experts provide professional guidance and practical solutions tailored to each client, rather than generic recommendations.

GHG emissions reduction for ships and ports

We advise clients on reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from their ships and ports, in line with the IMO’s decarbonisation framework. For vessels this includes practical measures to improve carbon intensity (relevant to IMO CII and EEXI requirements); for ports it includes emissions-aware operations and management systems. 

Safety and environmental focus

Safety and the environment are central to our consultancy, reflecting their importance in maritime transport. We help clients build the systems and practices that keep operations safe and environmentally responsible.

Business analysis and management optimisation

AUK analyses businesses and streamlines management practices to improve efficiency, cut costs and raise customer satisfaction. Our aim is to help clients save money and increase profitability while building lasting customer relationships.

Who we serve

We work with shipowners and operators, ports and terminals, transport and logistics businesses, and companies across the wider maritime and business value chain. Engagements can run from a focused review to end-to-end support.