Effective July 1, 2016, SOLAS requires the shipper to provide Verified Gross Mass (VGM) in a verified document before vessel loading. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the new regulation to promote maritime safety. To obtain VGM, please use one of the methods below.
Method 1 requires weighing the container after it has been packed. To use VGM Method 1, weigh the container on a scale and then subtract the weight of the truck, driver, chassis, and fuel.
Method 2 requires weighing all package, cargo items, pallets, packaging material, dunnage and other securing material. To use VGM Method 2, weigh the contents of the container including packing materials and pallets. Then add the tare weight of the container (this should be labeled outside the door.)
Much work still needs to be done to achieve accurate certification and universal enforcement of the new container-weighing rules that came into force on 1 July as the three-month settling-in period comes to an end, according to freight industry risk-management specialist TT Club.
Without an orderly process for submitting verified gross mass (VGM), a service disruption looms given the large number of U.S. exporters, marine terminals, and carriers…
The Coast Guard made an announcement at the Federal Maritime Commission’s listening session to hear industry concerns over the amendments to the new SOLAS regulations…
The survey results concluded that roughly only a third of respondents are ready to meet full compliance when the new container requirements…
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will start enforcing the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention requirements…
