Jun 13, 2016
New SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention Regulation set to go in effect July 1st,
The new global SOLAS regulation adopted by the International Maritime Organization will be effective July 1st. The new regulation will require shippers, whose name appears on the bill of lading, to verify the gross mass of the packed container.
What does this mean for shippers?
According the new SOLAS regulation for VGM (Verified Gross Mass), the shipper named on the ocean of lading is the party responsible for providing the ocean carrier and the terminal operator with the Verified Gross Mass of the Container. Containers that are tendered to the terminals that have not provided the VGM, will be turned away at the port.
If the shipper employs a freight forwarder, the responsibility still lies with the shipper even though the forwarder may pack and weigh the full container. The shipper must still verify the gross mass weight of the cargo being loaded.
There are 2 methods for shippers to provide the VGM – Verified Gross Mass
- Method 1 – The weighing the fully loaded container after it has been packed with the cargo
- Method 2 - Weighing the contents of the container, including cargo and any packing materials, and then adding that total to the tare weight of the container as printed on the outside.
Regarding the tender of partial loads to the freight forwarder
Shippers who offer for transportation, a partial load are not responsible for providing the Verified Gross Mass (VGM). In these arrangements, the requirements to provide the VGM of the co-loaded container resides with the shipper named on the ocean bill of lading, should that be a co-loader, NVOCC or freight forwarder.
As your logistics service provider, ATA Freight Line is available to you to provide guidance in the new IMO-SOLAS regulation. ATA Freight Line will keep you informed on the new SOLAS requirements in continued news alerts and advisories.
