SOLAS - CONTAINER WEIGHT VERIFICATION
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) amended the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regarding weight verification requirements July 1st, 2016. As the SOLAS Convention is a mandatory global law, these amendments will apply to most containerized maritime shipping and will have an impact on operational practices globally.
The regulations require the shippers of all containers to provide a weight certificate showing the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the container and its contents to the carrier sufficiently in advance of vessel loading so it can be used in the preparation of the vessel. The requirement will protect vessel and terminal operators. No containerized cargo will be loaded on a vessel unless the shipper has provided a signed weight verification to the carrier.
What is SOLAS?
SOLAS is an international maritime safety treaty designed to ensure that ships comply with minimum safety standards in construction, equipment and operation. With the first ever version of the treaty passed in response to the sinking of the Titanic in 1914, SOLAS in itself is not new. However, the introduction of mandatory verification of shippers’ declared container weights now requires all containers to be weighed before being shipped.
The regulations require the shippers of all containers to provide a weight certificate showing the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the container and its contents to the carrier sufficiently in advance of vessel loading so it can be used in the preparation of the vessel. The requirement will protect vessel and terminal operators. No containerized cargo will be loaded on a vessel unless the shipper has provided a signed weight verification to the carrier.
What is SOLAS?
SOLAS is an international maritime safety treaty designed to ensure that ships comply with minimum safety standards in construction, equipment and operation. With the first ever version of the treaty passed in response to the sinking of the Titanic in 1914, SOLAS in itself is not new. However, the introduction of mandatory verification of shippers’ declared container weights now requires all containers to be weighed before being shipped.
VGM WEIGHT CERTIFICATES has created a weight certificate for submitting VGM information for full-container-load (FCL) cargo and a separate weight certificate for less-than-container-load (LCL) cargo.
For FCL shipments, the certificate must provide:
For LCL shipments, a certificate is not required. It is assumed that the weight of any given LCL shipment, as submitted to by you/on your behalf, is true and accurate.Unless specifically requested, LCL cargo will not be weighed at the CFS. Upon completion of the consolidation, in case the VGM exceeds the maximum payload of the container, all relevant reloading and weighing costs of the individual shipments and transport costs will be charged to the party or parties who have mis-declared the weight. For the sake of due diligence, will conduct spot checks on individual shipments upon receipt at CFS (Container Freight Station). |
NOTE: For LCL shipments, a certificate is not required.
Upon completion of the consolidation, In case the VGM exceeds the maximum payload of the container, all relevant reloading and weighing costs of the individual shipments and transport costs will be charged to the party or parties who have mis-declared the weight For the sake of due diligence, we will be performing spot checks on individual shipments upon receipt at our CFS'. is working closely with our partner carriers and e-commerce partners in order to have efficient and reliable global communication standards and processes in place. JFEXPRESS DELIVERY takes safety and compliance with all relevant regulations very seriously and we rely on you to assist us in this process. 
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is responsible for providing the verified gross mass (VGM)?
The Shipper (named on the ocean bill of lading or sea waybill) is the party responsible for providing the ocean carrier and/or the terminal operator with the VGM of a packed container. Shipping lines and Forwarding are not responsible for verifying this information. A shipper can authorize a third party to provide the VGM on their behalf. The VGM will not show on the Bill of Lading. It is declared separately from the gross cargo weight entered in the Bill of Lading.
How to determine the VGM?
There are two methods of verifying the gross mass of a container carrying cargo.
Method 1: Weighing
After a container has been completely packed, the container can be weighed.
Method 2: Calculating
All packages and cargo items may be weighed individually, including dunnage, packing and securing material and added to tare of the container.
Method 1: Weighing
After a container has been completely packed, the container can be weighed.
Method 2: Calculating
All packages and cargo items may be weighed individually, including dunnage, packing and securing material and added to tare of the container.
What if VGM is missing?
SOLAS imposes an obligation on the carrier and the terminal operator not to load a packed container aboard a ship without VGM for that container. NO VGM = NO LOAD
Is there a deadline for providing the VGM?
The VGM is required in order to prepare the stowage plan of the ship prior to loading. And without exception, it always remains in the responsibility of the shipper that the carrier and terminal operator receive the information in reasonable time. The VGM cut off will be provided on the booking confirmation.
In order to ensure your containers will be loaded, VGM must be submitted towards prior to the VGM cut off on the booking confirmation.
In order to ensure your containers will be loaded, VGM must be submitted towards prior to the VGM cut off on the booking confirmation.
What are the issues and penalties if VGM is missing?
SOLAS imposes an obligation on the carrier and the terminal operator not to load a packed container aboard a ship without VGM for that container. Compliance with this obligation by the carrier and terminal operator may result in commercial and operational penalties, such as delayed shipment and additional costs if the shipper has not provided the VGM. The penalties may involve repacking costs, administration fees for amending documents, demurrage charges, delayed or cancelled shipments etc.
