SOLAS VGM - probably a term which may have slipped many people's minds as it seems to have successfully integrated itself into the mainstream container shipping process since its mandatory implementation in July 2016.. Now it seems to be back, but in a good way though..
In July 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) issued a mandatory requirement which required all shipping containers to be weighed and the weight information (Verified Gross Mass) be provided to the shipping lines as part of the SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea convention) Chapter VI Regulation 2..
This requirement came on the back of continued misdeclaration of weights by shippers many of which resulted in incidents at sea causing loss of property and/or lives..
The regulation allowed shippers to provide the VGM to the carriers using two different methods
Weigh the packed container using calibrated and certified weighing equipment like a weighbridge to get the VGM
Weigh the cargo, dunnage, lashing material and add the tare weight of the container to get the VGM
Although there has not been any real comments or incidents relating to the misdeclaration of weights after the implementation of the SOLAS VGM regulation in 2016, it has been reported that shipping industry has been struggling with Method 1, as physically weighing every shipping container requires significant efforts and costly, space-consuming scales..
Well, it seems there is a solution for that..
It has been 1 year, 1 month & 29 days, or 13 months & 29 days, or 60 weeks & 5 days, or quite simply 425 days since SOLAS VGM was implemented on the 1st of July 2016..
Now it is time to review how has it been.. Read on..
A burning question that is circulating currently in the container industry is whether the Tare Weight of a container should be included in the weight shown in the Bill of Lading or not and whether the SOLAS VGM should match the Bill of Lading weight..
In November 2014 the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) amended SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea convention) Chapter VI Regulation 2 to tighten up the process of weighing containerised cargoes and declaring the correct weights after verification..
What is this SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea convention) Chapter VI Regulation 2 and what does this amendment mean to the day to day shipping industry..??
This article gives you an infographic which will clear it all.. 🙂
The Africa Trade and Customs Week Summit is upon us. Starting on the 11th of July 2022, the summit will serve as the global platform for the future of the next-generation supply chain, and promote borderless trade across Africa.
The summit will focus on customs, compliance, and trade facilitation by highlighting innovation, future technology, and interactivity.
Shipping and Freight Resource is a proud partner for this summit and Founder - Hariesh Manaadiar will be moderating a panel of elite industry experts on the topic of "Innovative next-generation trade technology and data revolution: Discussing the impact on customs, compliance, and trade facilitation"
The...
Recently, ONE (Ocean Network Express), the 7th largest container shipping line in the world by capacity, implemented a penalty fee in the form of a Weight Discrepancy Charge (WDS) of USD 2,000/- per container from the 1st of July, 2022..
The penalty fee is applicable if there is a misdeclaration of cargo weight details at the time of submission of booking submission and if the weight deviates +/- 3 tons/TEU from the weight on the final Bill of Lading Instruction details and Verified Gross Mass (VGM) documentation..
In the supply chain disruption medley caused by COVID-19, many may have forgotten the...
Ever since Hapag-Lloyd's announcement of equipping their entire container fleet with IoT sensors, shipping companies are more aware than ever of the opportunity to convert their existing container fleets to smart containers, unlocking countless digital possibilities.
In its continuing promise to help shipping companies towards Contopia, Loginno is introducing a no-strings-attached evaluation kit for smart containers. The kit, available to purchase now through the Loginno.com website, enables shipping companies to experience smart container functionality, opening a dialog about unlocking this new and exciting playground.
The evaluation kit will include a flexible number of AGAM container brains, and Loginno's critically acclaimed shipper-ready...
Recent Comments