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SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) requirements
22/7/2016
Effective July 1, 2016, the international Maritime Organisation has made significant amendments to the Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) convention.
All shippers must now comply with mandatory container weight verification requirements or face penalties.
VGM explained:
It is now the responsibility of all shipper displayed on the Ocean bill of lading to now verify the weight of containers before shipping. Without a VGM, freight will not be loaded onto the vessel.
To obtain the VGM, a shipper must weigh the packaged container using calibrated and certified equipment. The alternative is to weigh the gross total at a weigh bridge having calculated the tare mass.
Port terminals not adhering to the new SOLAS convention and local requirements face regulatory penalties /costs.
Practical implications for Importers/ Exporters:
With such a large change to the operational system, Asean expects some teething with regulatory authorities as the policies begin and we move to ensure compliance.
On an operational level, this will mean an added step in the supply chain process. We expect a slight increase in shipping cost as we adhere to the new requirements.
If you think this may affect your operations, speak with Asean today and ask what this could mean for your business.
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