VGM / SOLAS
In another resolution, the IMO (International Maritime Organization) decided on a rule change with more stringent requirements for the reporting of the container’s total weight (VGM – Verified Gross Mass) will be reported to the shipping company before loading the ship.
This rule change is global in order to improve safety in shipping (SOLAS – Safety of Life at Sea) and becomes effective July 1, 2016 from all discharge ports.
No containers will be accepted into the harbor before the container’s total weight has been reported in the company’s system and it is the exporter’s responsibility to satisfy verified weight.
Containers will randomly be considered in the cargo port and the weight deviations greater than allowed (This is not confirmed yet by the Gothenburg harbor, but is expected to be between 2-6%), the container is not loaded and returned to sender.
Costs for this will be charged to the shipper who stated incorrect weight on its cargo.
For us, these rules any further questions concerning the handling of cargo, which are consolidated in a container.
The demands of the shipping companies is of course the same as for any other “shipper” at any time and we have to report the VGM container before closing.
There are two ways for Conroute to receive the container total weight,
• Weigh entire loaded and sealed container on a calibrated containervåg
• Count together individual weight (VGM) for all LCL shipments of container + stamping materials and tare weight
Note that LCL goods VGM is the weight of goods including packaging
Conroute would of course be able to weigh the whole container after it has finished loaded, but because of the lack of approved container dare this will become a problem
The biggest reason that this solution does not work to consolidation is that the cargo to be transshipped via a hub, as such. Singapore to final destination in Southeast Asia, will require an individual VGM to be loaded together in a new container (if there is capacity and time to weigh the entire container before it is unloaded).
Conroute in accordance with IMO rules and with the support of NSAB 2000 (§28), put the responsibility on the customer to provide the proper VGM for the goods to be booked.
In cases where the exporter is unable to provide the goods VGM, then Conroute to offer this service at a cost.
Most terminals in the Nordic region will be equipped with cargo weights and perform the weighing of each shipment if you want this.
