Containers - Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Implementation Imminent

The requirement for shippers to verify the gross mass of containers to be shipped on vessels comes into effect on a global basis from 1st July 2016.

This is the biggest change in container shipping for years and many industry experts expect there to be various difficulties stemming from the new regulations. These may include:

• Differing interpretations of the regulations in different jurisdictions leading to shippers being uncertain of their responsibilities.
• In some ports it is not possible to measure gross mass. This means that any containers without a VGM may suffer long delays until weighing can be arranged by shippers.
• Even where weighing of containers without a declared VGM is possible there are concerns that measurement of VGM in port may lead to delays of container flow.
• Carriers and vessel owners must ensure that there are suitable systems in place for the submission of VGM to the contractual carrier and the vessel.
• Extra control measures may be required by carrier. This may include the need for name and date of weight verifier.
• Potential for vessels to be fined if they load a container without a VGM.

The Role of the Vessel

A vessel may rely on a shipper’s signed weight verification to be accurate and is not required to be a “verifier” of the shipper’s weight verification.

The SOLAS amendments do not require vessels to verify that a shipper providing a verified weight (according to Method 2) has used a method which has been certified and approved by the competent authority of the jurisdiction in which the packing and sealing of the container was completed.

Can a container be loaded without a Verification Certificate?

The lack of a signed weight verification certificate can be remedied by weighing the packed container at the port. However, in the event that a terminal does not possess the means to verify the weight of the container, alternative means must be found in order to obtain a verified container weight; otherwise, the packed container may not be loaded on to the ship.