Industry coalition provides insight on container weight regulations

New rules require that after July 1, 2016 shippers will have to provide the “verified gross mass” of containers before they are loaded on ships.    A coalition of various shipper and industry groups have released a “frequently asked questions” document about the new container weighing regulations due to take effect globally on July 1, 2016. The amendments to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) convention require packed shipping containers to have a verified gross mass (VGM) before they can be loaded on a ship for export.
   The document was prepared by the World Shipping Council, a trade association which represents the major liner carriers, the insurer TT Club, the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association, and the Global Shippers’ Forum, a shipper group that includes the National Industrial Transportation League.
   The amendments were adopted by the International Maritime Organization to enhance maritime safety and reduce the dangers to containerships, their crews, and all those involved in container transport throughout the supply chain.
   The FAQs have been developed by the group in response to questions from shippers, carriers, forwarders, and terminal operators about the steps they must take to ensure successful implementation