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EnglishWhat is CWA International?
Updated
CWA International is a consultancy that specialises in the technical investigation of loss and damage incidents and the analysis of claims. According to its website, it serves clients involved in international trade, shipping, insurance and reinsurance, along with their legal counterparts, and it has a track record spanning more than 45 years. It operates offices in London and Singapore and can be reached 24/7 by phone at +44 (0) 20 7242 8444.
What CWA International does
The firm's core work is technical rather than purely legal or financial. It investigates what went wrong in a loss or damage incident and analyses the resulting claim. Its stated focus is problems arising from international maritime trade, covering a wide range of commodities.
Its services are grouped into three areas:
- Experts – technical specialists who examine incidents and cargo.
- Independent – independent assessment and analysis.
- Live attendance – attendance at incidents as they happen.
- Post incident – investigation after an incident has occurred.
- Expert witness – providing expert evidence, presumably in disputes or legal proceedings.
Departments and specialisms
CWA organises its technical expertise into departments, each covering a distinct category of cargo, incident or analysis:
| Department | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Fire & Explosion | Forensic investigation and analysis of fire and explosion incidents by combustion specialists |
| Food & Agricultural Commodities | High-volume commodities stored and shipped in bulk, plus handling and shipment of fresh and frozen produce |
| Forensic Data Analysis & IT | Forensic analysis of big data and design/use of bespoke database software |
| Marine & Ports | Investigation of marine casualties, ship and cargo damage incidents, and claims analysis |
| Metals & Minerals | Metals smelting and manufacture, minerals processing, treatment, storage and marine transportation |
| Oil, Gas & Chemicals | Contamination and quality issues, oil loss investigations, and operational audits of marine tankers, gas carriers, oil storage terminals and refinery plant |
| Risk, Safety & Environmental | Technical risk assessment, risk management studies, safety and loss prevention studies, and environmental impact assessments |
Who it is for
CWA's clients are organisations and professionals concerned with international trade, shipping, insurance and reinsurance, and their legal counterparts. If you are dealing with a cargo contamination issue, a marine casualty, a fire or explosion, or a disputed claim that needs technical evidence, this is the type of firm you would approach. The combination of investigation, claims analysis and expert witness work means it can support a matter from the initial incident through to formal proceedings.
Practical points to note
- Contact: The London office phone number is +44 (0) 20 7242 8444, and the site states 24/7 availability.
- Locations: London and Singapore.
- Experience: More than 45 years of consultancy work in this field.
- Scope: The departments span food and agricultural commodities, oil, gas and chemicals, metals and minerals, fire and explosion, forensic data and IT, marine and ports, and risk, safety and environmental work.
The website does not publish pricing or detail how engagements are structured, so specific commercial terms would need to be discussed directly with the firm.