In recent years the shipping world has seen some major incidents at sea and on the shore arising from packed containers that had incorrect weight declarations.
 
From the 1st of July 2016, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has adopted amendments to the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) convention that requires packed containers' gross mass to be verified prior to stowage aboard a ship. This global law will prohibit loading a packed container in the absence of Verified Gross Mass = VGM (total gross weight).
 
These rules will mean that shippers have a reduced risk of damages to their cargo, carriers have increased safety for their crew and vessel and terminals have faster dispatch times.

There are two ways in which the shipper may obtain the VGM of a packed container. The shipper may weigh the packed and sealed container using calibrated and certified equipment i.e. a weigh-bridge or the shipper may add the weight of each package, add the packing and securing material and add the tare weight of the container.
 
If your VGM is not submitted to the line prior to loading the container will not be loaded on a vessel. Viking Shipping can assist and advise on best practice.

Click here to download our SOLAS Explanation document

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