17
Jun

Safety Of Life At Sea ( SOLAS) & Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Requirements

Dear Valued Client,

Commencing from 1st July 2016, SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) and VGM (Verified Gross Mass) regulations come into effect globally for all containers being shipped.
A packed container will no longer be allowed to be loaded on board vessels unless its Verified Gross Mass (VGM) has been provided by the shipper named in the Bill of Lading, to the ocean carrier and/or the terminal representative.

The main points in relation to the new regulation:

  • The shipper will be the responsible party for providing the VGM
  • There will be two permissible weighing methods for determining the VGM
  • The terminal operator will be obliged to ensure that only containers with a VGM are loaded on the vessel

As we approach the SOLAS compliance deadline, we have put together some key points to take into consideration.

What are the VGM Requirements?

  • Method 1: Weighing the Container once it is packed utilising a certified weighbridge, DEAN understands that not all shippers will have access to verified scales, as such we will be offering this service to shippers both in Australia and abroad at an additional charge.
  • Method 2: Weigh all the packages and cargo items individually including the pallets and then add the tare mass of the container to obtain the VGM. Please note for shippers to utilise method the weighing equipment must be specifically calibrated in line with the SOLAS regulations to be accepted.

Who is responsible for obtaining the VGM?
The shipper is responsible for obtaining and documenting the verified gross mass of a packed container by either of the two methods.

Who is the Shipper?
As per IMO Circular 1475, ‘shipper’ means a legal entity or a person named on the bill of lading, or equivalent transport documentation, as shipper and/or who (or in whose name or on whose behalf) a contract of carriage has been concluded with a shipping company. The shipper may also be known as the sender or consignor.

When should the VGM be declared?
The shipper must ensure the VGM is communicated in shipping documents sufficiently in advance to be used by the ship’s master or his representative and the terminal representative in the preparation of the ship stowage plan.

What are the consequences of not declaring the VGM and associated information?
Should a shipper not provide the mandatory information as mentioned above, the container will not be processed for loading on to a ship. Further, should a container arrive at the gate of a terminal with shipping documentation that does not include the mandatory information, such a container must not be granted access for loading on to a ship.
As per the revised Marine Order 42, penalties and additional costs may apply for non-compliance with the requirements.

The accuracy of the VGM obtained for a container is solely the responsibility of the shipper and could be monitored by the relevant regulatory authority.

These changes effect both LCL and FCL consignments imported and export from Australia. The costs involved with this new process are yet to be determined, and as such we have no choice but to pass this on.

For import cargo on FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP, DDP terms all associated costs with regard to the regulations will be the shippers responsibility.

All LCL cargo will be weighed upon receipt at the packing depot prior to being packed and this is the weight that will be declared

All FCL cargo can be weighed using either method outlined above.

It is important to note that once the weight is declared it will be the responsibility of the shipper & importer to ensure that any commercial documents match the verified weight.

In preparation for the pending changes relating to the Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) legislation and to ensure full compliance, the mandatory inclusion of the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) in the PRA will commence from Wednesday 22 June 2016 for all export cargo from Australia.

This will ensure that all containers that arrive in the terminal for loading from 1 July 2016 has a declared VGM.

For more detailed information on the SOLAS requirements please see below link:
http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/WSC_Guidelines_for_Implementing_the_SOLAS_Container_Weight_Verification_Requirement.pdf

Should you have any questions relating to SOLAS compliance please contact the team at DEAN.

Kind Regards

John Stathopoulos
Chief Operating Officer