Weight matters under new rules
Any company that trades goods overseas needs to be aware of a new regulation that will become effective from July 1, 2016. From that date, the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention will stipulate that all containers have to have a verified gross mass before they are stowed on a vessel. This subject has triggered great debate within the industry although the reasoning behind it – which is to improve the safety of vessels, seafarers and dock workers – should be applauded.
The amendments to SOLAS and how it will work is a little complex, however our advice to companies moving goods overseas is to contact us. As a starting point, here are some of the details and definitions
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will enforce the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) requirements regarding the verification of the gross mass of packed containers as follows:
“A packed container will not be allowed to be loaded on board vessels to which the SOLAS Convention applies unless the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the container has been provided to the ship’s master or his representative and to the terminal or its representative sufficiently in advance to allow for the edition of the loading plan.”
The responsibility for obtaining and documenting the Verified Gross Mass of a packed container lies with the shipper.
The Verified Gross Mass, also known as the VGM, means the total gross mass of a packed container which can be obtained by one of the two methods described below:
- Method No. 1: Using calibrated and certified equipment, the shipper or a third party duly appointed by the shipper weighs the packed container at the end of the stuffing operation once the seal is affixed.
- Method No. 2: The shipper or a third party, by arrangement of the shipper, weighs all packages, cargo items, pallets, dunnage and other packing and securing material and adds the tare mass of the container. The total sum finally obtained is the weight to be provided. This method is subject to certification and approval by the competent authority of the State in which the packing and sealing of the container was completed.
Please also be reminded of this regulation: If the Verified Gross Mass is not provided, the container will not be loaded onto the ship.
Click here for SOLAS Container Weight Verification – Fact Sheet