Who can believe that it was at the end of 2015 when we were letting you know of the informative FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) document that had been issued by an industry coalition on the ever important SOLAS / Verified Gross Mass.
The same coalition is now back with a second part FAQs. This FAQs relate to new mandatory rules that applied from 1 July 2016 concerning the requirement of shippers to verify the gross mass of a container carrying cargo. This second part FAQ is to be considered as a supplementary to the first Frequency Asked Questions.
Like the initial joint industry FAQ document, published last December, these new supplementary FAQs are based on actual questions from affected stakeholders regarding proper implementation of the new regulations. The supplementary FAQs include new questions and answers as well as expanded answers to some of the questions listed in the December FAQs. As such, these FAQs do not introduce new interpretations or approaches, but seek to provide further assistance in explaining the SOLAS VGM requirements by building on existing guidance material.
Some of the supplementary FAQs explain in more detail how the SOLAS container verified gross mass requirements should be fulfilled in various circumstances as described in questions received from supply chain parties. Other supplementary FAQs are intended to give additional information regarding the two methods that may be used under the SOLAS VGM requirements to obtain the verified gross mass of a packed container.
Are you a full bottle on the amendments to the SOLAS convention yet? Comment below!
Source credit: www.ajot.com and worldshipping.org
