SOLAS Update on Container Weight Requirement

On July 1, 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will enact an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention: Chapter VI, Part A, Regulation 2 – Cargo Information. This amendment establishes a mandatory container weight verification requirement that requires a loaded container to have a verified weight before being placed aboard a vessel. The responsibility of verifying a packed container’s weight lies with the shipper, or a third party under the shipper’s responsibility. If a loaded container doesn’t have a verified weight, then it will be prohibited from being placed onto a vessel.

There are two prescribed methods that can be used to acquire the verified weight, or verified gross mass (VGM). Method 1 requires weighing the loaded container. Method 2 involves weighing the cargo and packing materials and adding the tare weight of the container; however this method may be subject to certification. With both methods, weighing equipment must meet national certification and calibration standards and the weight verification must be signed by a person duly authorized by the shipper. There are no circumstances in which a shipper may estimate the weight of the container.

This regulatory requirement will apply on a global level – to all signatory countries that are party to SOLAS. Each country will have their own set of guidelines outlining their rules for following the new regulation. This regulation is a response to mis-declared container weights that resulted in shipping accidents and is meant to ensure safety onshore and at sea. After July 1, 2016, it would be a violation of SOLAS to load a packed container onto a vessel, to which SOLAS applies, without a VGM.

Allyn Contributor: April King

If you have any questions about the upcoming SOLAS weight verification requirement, or if you would like more information please contact Allyn International at (239) 489-9900 or sales@allynintl.com.