What National Cargo Bureau does

National Cargo Bureau (NCB) is a 70+ year-old not-for-profit marine surveying organization headquartered in New York that delivers cargo safety and dangerous goods compliance services across physical inspection and digital software channels. Its physical operations span container, bulk, grain, and hazardous cargo inspections delivered through a network of 18 major US port offices (North Atlantic/Great Lakes, South Atlantic, Gulf, Pacific regions), supplemented by global capability through a UK R&D hub in Darlington and a new Singapore APAC hub (February 2026). NCB was founded in 1952 to support the US Coast Guard in preventing maritime disasters from dangerous goods and holds authorized status for USCG-approved training and Dangerous Goods certifications.

NCB's digital arm, NCB Hazcheck (formerly Exis Technologies, acquired April 2018 and rebranded May 2023), provides a SaaS suite of dangerous goods management tools used by 9 of the top 10 global container lines and screening over 80% of global maritime dangerous cargo. Flagship product Hazcheck Detect is an AI-powered booking-screening platform processing 10M+ bookings/month across carriers representing 70%+ of global TEU capacity, serving as the independent technology backbone of the World Shipping Council's Cargo Safety Program (launched September 2025). Complementary products include Hazcheck Validate (IMDG/49CFR compliance, SaaS and API), Hazcheck Inspections (remote and on-site container inspection workflows), Hazcheck Search (regulatory lookup), and Hazcheck Extract (AI OCR for Dangerous Goods Declarations). NCB also monetizes training courses (IMDG Code, 49 CFR, OSHA Maritime, IMSBC), regulatory publications, and consulting/expert witness services.

Revenue mechanics span recurring SaaS subscriptions for Hazcheck, per-engagement inspection services, course and publication sales, and project-based professional consulting. Customers are concentrated among global container lines and ports, with secondary segments in freight forwarders, bulk vessel operators, shippers/BCOs, and marine insurers (notably Munich Re, with whom NCB co-develops predictive analytics). The organization is governed by a Board chaired since May 2026 by Rear Admiral (USN-Ret.) Philip H. Greene, Jr., with Ian Lennard as President and CEO. Strategic priorities evidenced by recent moves include industry-wide cargo safety standard-setting (WSC), geographic expansion into APAC, and adjacent vertical extensions (wildlife trafficking detection with WWF, lithium battery risk monitoring, predictive risk scoring with USCG).

Name

National Cargo Bureau

Legal name

National Cargo Bureau Inc.

Website

https://natcargo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

National Cargo Bureau is a not-for-profit marine surveying and dangerous goods compliance organization founded in 1952, delivering physical cargo inspection services at 18 US ports and a SaaS platform (NCB Hazcheck) used by 9 of the world's top 10 container lines to screen dangerous goods bookings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Cargo Inspection and Dangerous Goods Compliance

NAICS

Marine Cargo Handling (48832)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Cargo Surveying, Tallying & Damage Control (Terminal Inspection Support) (TLAHALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory & Sanctions Compliance Screening for Maritime Operations (Trade Controls, AML) (TLAHANAL), Hazmat & Cargo Compliance Screening Infrastructure (Placard/ADR Checks, Radiation/Contraband Sensors) (TLAJAKAH)

Keywords

• Maritime cargo inspections
• Dangerous goods compliance
• Cargo screening software
• Vessel survey services
• Maritime safety training

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Physical Inspection Services: Container, cargo, grain vessel, bulk cargo, and container vessel inspections and surveys. Includes hazardous container inspections, structural serviceability inspections, stowage and segregation reviews, draft surveys, and hatch integrity surveys.
2. Hazcheck Software Solutions: SaaS-based dangerous goods management software including Hazcheck Validate, Hazcheck Detect, Hazcheck Inspections, and Hazcheck Search. Delivered as software-as-a-service with API integration options.
3. Training Courses: Classroom, correspondence, and online maritime training courses including IMDG Code training, 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Transportation, OSHA Maritime Safety, USCG Approved Courses, IMSBC Code, and cargo securing courses.
4. Publications and Certifications: Sale of regulatory publications including Grain Booklet, 49 CFR Parts 100-199, and Emergency Response Guidebook. Issuance of certificates including Grain Certificate of Readiness/Loading and Vessel Cleanliness Certificates.
5. Professional Consulting Services: Dangerous goods process review, program development support, cargo security risk assessments, warehouse risk assessments, marine warranty surveys, and expert witness services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

National Cargo Bureau provides physical maritime cargo and vessel inspection services (container, grain, bulk, hazmat surveys) through a network of surveyors at 18 major US ports plus a digital dangerous goods management platform called NCB Hazcheck. The Hazcheck software suite delivers IMDG Code / 49CFR / ADR compliance validation, AI-powered cargo screening for misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods, container inspection workflow management, and regulatory data lookup, serving 9 of the top 10 container lines and screening over 80% of global maritime dangerous cargo.

Product overview

National Cargo Bureau offers a dual portfolio of physical inspection and surveying services combined with a digital platform called NCB Hazcheck. The physical services include container/cargo inspections, grain cargo vessel surveys, bulk cargo vessel surveys, container vessel surveys, dangerous goods consultations, claims & loss prevention, remote inspections, and flag state inspections, supported by a network of surveyors at 18 major US ports. The NCB Hazcheck digital suite (comprising Hazcheck Validate, Hazcheck Detect, Hazcheck Inspections, Hazcheck Search, Hazcheck Extract, and Hazcheck DGL Data) provides dangerous goods documentation validation, AI-powered cargo screening for misdeclared/undeclared cargo, container inspection management, and regulatory data lookup. NCB Hazcheck is used by 9 of the top 10 container lines and processes over 80% of global maritime dangerous cargo. NCB also offers training courses (IMDG Code, 49 CFR, OSHA Maritime Safety, USCG Approved Courses, IMSBC Code) and publishes the Global Restricted Cargo Database. The WSC Cargo Safety Program is an industry-wide initiative built on Hazcheck Detect, with carriers representing over 70% of global TEU capacity participating.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hazcheck: NCB Hazcheck (formerly Exis Technologies) is the leading supplier of IT systems for the management of dangerous goods in sea transport, with over 35 years of experience supporting major shipping lines, ferry operators, ports and terminals, logistics operators, government and regulatory organizations worldwide.

Products and services

• NCB Hazcheck (suite) Suite of software tools for dangerous goods management in sea transport, used by 9 of the top 10 container lines. Encompasses Hazcheck Validate, Hazcheck Detect, Hazcheck Inspections, Hazcheck Search, Hazcheck Extract, and Hazcheck DGL Data. Exis Technologies produced Hazcheck Systems for over 35 years and became part of NCB in 2018, rebranded as NCB Hazcheck in 2023.
• Hazcheck Detect AI-powered cargo screening tool that scans millions of bookings in real time using keyword searches, trade pattern recognition and AI-driven algorithms to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods before loading. Processes over 10 million bookings per month and is on track to screen 70% of all maritime cargo; used by Maersk, ONE, Hapag-Lloyd and PIL, and serves as the primary provider for the WSC Cargo Safety Program.
• Hazcheck Validate Dangerous goods validation tool that checks declared cargo compliance against IMDG Code, 49CFR and other regulations. Available as SaaS (Hazcheck Validate SaaS), desktop legacy products (Hazcheck Professional, Hazcheck Workstation) and API (Hazcheck Validate API) for integration into booking systems and cargo platforms.
• Hazcheck Inspections Web-based container inspection database and access portal that enables remote and on-site container cargo inspections. Connects customers with NCB surveyors and supports mobile device workflows with guided tasks, photo capture and automated upload for surveyor analysis.
• Hazcheck Search AI-driven substance lookup and validation tool providing search capabilities across IMDG, 49CFR, ADR and other regulations for identifying and validating dangerous goods substances.
• Hazcheck Extract (DGD OCR) AI-driven tool for automated extraction of Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) data using OCR technology, enabling faster and more efficient processing of shipping documentation.
• Hazcheck DGL Data Dangerous Goods List data product providing regulatory and compliance data for dangerous goods management in maritime transport.
• IMDG Code eReader Digital edition of the IMO IMDG Code (Amendment 42-24) for sea transport of dangerous goods, available as an eReader product.
• IMSBC Code e-learning Course Online training course providing an overview of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, covering solid bulk cargo stowage and shipment safety. Priced at USD 75-225.33.
• Remote Container Inspection Service Remote port or warehouse-based container inspections using mobile phone technology, connecting customers with NCB surveyors. Includes a self-service Workflow feature (guided tasks with photo capture and automated upload) and a Live Video option with a direct NCB surveyor; no app installation required.
• Container/Cargo Inspections Physical inspection services covering hazardous container/tank inspections, general cargo/container tank inspections, container structural serviceability inspections, flat rack securing inspections, container packing/securing inspections, cargo condition surveys, damaged cargo surveys, HAZMAT incident surveys and Ro-Ro cargo surveys.
• Grain Cargo Vessel Surveys Full range of grain vessel surveys including Grain Certificate of Readiness, Grain Certificate of Loading, Grain Stability Reviews, Grain Approvals, Vessel Cleanliness Certificates, On-Hire / Bunker Surveys, Draft Surveys, Hatch Integrity / Securing Surveys, Hatch Sealing Surveys, and Dead Freight / Maximum Loadable Surveys.
• Bulk Cargo Vessel Surveys Bulk cargo vessel survey services including Coal and Bulk Cargo Certificates of Loading, Pile Surveys, Vessel Cleanliness Certificates, Vessel Open Hatch and Out Turn Surveys, On-Hire / Bunker Surveys, Draft Surveys, Hatch Integrity / Securing Surveys, Hatch Sealing Surveys, and Dead Freight / Maximum Loadable Surveys.
• Container Vessel Surveys Container vessel survey services including Container Vessel Loading Certificates, HAZMAT / Dangerous Cargo Manifest Reviews, Hazardous Stowage and Segregation Reviews, Break Bulk / Heavy Lift Surveys, Cargo Gear Certification, On-Hire / Bunker Surveys, Damaged Cargo / Claims Surveys and Draft Surveys.
• Maritime Training Courses Classroom, correspondence and online maritime training courses including IMDG Code (One, Two, and Three Day courses with Vessel Stowage and Segregation), 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Transportation, OSHA Maritime Safety (10-hour Outreach Training), US Coast Guard Approved Courses, Ship's Stability, IMSBC Code, and Cargo Securing / Annex 13 / CTU Code / Container Packers / Flatrack Securing courses.
• Global Restricted Cargo Database Centralized, real-time repository of restricted cargo requirements across ports, terminals and carriers, providing improved booking accuracy, reduced administrative burden and lower risk of non-compliance for industry stakeholders.
• WSC Cargo Safety Program (Common Screening Tool) Industry-wide initiative by the World Shipping Council using NCB's digital cargo screening technology (Common Screening Tool) to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods before loading; provides a Verified Shipper Database and a Database of Approved Container Inspection Companies. Carriers representing 70%+ of global TEU capacity joined at launch.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55%+ of inspected containers found non-compliant with 43% failing due to poorly secured dangerous goods and 6.5% carrying misdeclared cargo
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• World Shipping Council (WSC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2025NCB was selected by WSC as the independent provider of the Cargo Safety Program digital platform. The program leverages NCB's Hazcheck Detect technology to screen millions of bookings using keyword searches, trade pattern recognition, and AI-driven algorithms. Carriers representing 70%+ of global TEU capacity joined at launch.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2023Groundbreaking partnership to combat illegal wildlife trade. NCB's Hazcheck Detect technology is being extended to detect illicit cargo including illegal wildlife products such as elephant ivory, pangolin scales, and timber. WWF provides historical seizure data for integration into screening systems.
• Nova Southeastern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023NCB partnered with Nova Southeastern University's Institute for Disaster and Emergency Preparedness to offer free OSHA 10-hour Maritime Safety Training.
• Munich RecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2022Collaborative analytics initiative with NCB and USCG to improve cargo vessel safety. Munich Re provides predictive analytics capabilities to analyze inspection data for risk scoring. Goal is to identify high-risk shipments and prevent improperly shipped hazmats from being loaded aboard vessels.
• ICHCA (International Cargo Handling Coordination Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNCB Group joined ICHCA under group corporate membership. Captain Eric Rounds (Chief Surveyor) and Will Bartle (Compliance and Regulations Manager) serve on ICHCA Technical Panel providing technical advice on cargo handling issues.
• ITCO (International Tank Container Organisation)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNCB offers ITCO Tank Container e-Learning Course for those involved in tank container operations, available through Hazcheck e-learning platform.
• TT ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNCB and Hazcheck e-learning courses supported by TT Club. TT Club sponsors CTUpack e-learning courses for container packing roles and IMDG Code e-learning courses.
• CINS (Cargo Incident Notification System)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNCB participates in CINS network. Captain Y S Hwang of Evergreen (and CINS Chairman) praised NCB's remote inspection capabilities following vessel fire investigation.
• International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNCB participates in IUMI events and conferences. Sean Dalton, NCB Chairman, serves as Vice President and Executive Committee member of IUMI.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company with a major marine and offshore division providing cargo inspection, classification, and compliance services. Comparable to NCB in maritime inspection services but operates much more broadly across multiple industries with significantly larger scale and global footprint.
• SGS: World's largest testing, inspection, and certification company providing cargo inspection, agricultural commodity surveys, and maritime services. Overlaps with NCB in cargo surveying and inspection but operates across far broader end markets (consumer goods, commodities, oil & gas) with global infrastructure.
• DNV: Maritime classification society providing ship classification, certification, and advisory services including container and cargo inspection. Comparable to NCB in maritime inspection and certification but serves a broader maritime value chain (vessels, offshore, energy) with established global presence.
• Lloyd's Register: Maritime classification society and provider of inspection, certification, and advisory services across the maritime industry. Overlaps with NCB in container and cargo inspection but operates as a much larger global classification society with broader regulatory authority.
• American Bureau of Shipping (ABS): Maritime classification society headquartered in the US providing ship classification, container and cargo inspection, and offshore certification services. Particularly comparable to NCB given US-centric maritime focus and cargo surveying heritage, though ABS operates at significantly larger scale.
• RINA Services: Italian classification society providing marine certification, testing, and inspection services globally. Comparable to NCB in maritime inspection scope with established international presence across ship classification and industrial testing.

Direct peers

• RightShip: Maritime risk management and inspection platform providing vessel inspection, port state control, and ESG ratings for the shipping industry. Comparable to NCB's maritime safety mission and digital inspection approach, though focused on vessel vetting rather than cargo screening.

Others

• TT Club: Leading transport and logistics industry mutual insurance provider that partners with NCB on training courses (CTUpack e-learning). Comparable as a maritime industry stakeholder addressing cargo-related risk, though focused on insurance rather than inspection/screening services.
• Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS): Shipping industry initiative for sharing cargo incident data to improve safety. NCB participates in CINS, and CINS Chairman Captain Hwang of Evergreen publicly praised NCB's remote inspection capabilities. Comparable as an industry stakeholder addressing misdeclared cargo incidents but functions as a data-sharing network rather than service provider.

Regional players

• ClassNK: Japanese maritime classification society and one of the largest classification societies globally. Comparable to NCB in maritime inspection and certification roles but operates primarily from Japan/Asia with focus on ship classification rather than cargo screening.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-cargo-bureau

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Cargo Bureau