Everyone should now be aware that the amendments to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention are imminent. This new law requires packed shipping containers to have a verified gross mass (VGM) before they can be loaded on a ship for export.
The amendments have been introduced by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to enhance maritime safety, not only on ships, but in the entire supply chain.
A Frequency Asked Questions (FAQ) document has been created by an industry coalition in response to numerous questions from shippers, carriers, forwarders, and terminal operators.
This initial FAQs document seeks to clarify how the SOLAS container weight verification requirements will function in various situations. It identifies commercial and operational arrangements that will have to be addressed, and it flags issues that must be dealt with by national governments. The FAQs are based on actual questions from affected stakeholders, and they will be expanded as new issues emerge.
It is important and imperative that everyone involved in the supply chain, from beginning to end, is familiar and prepared with all aspects of the amendment to the SOLAS convention.
If you have any questions regarding this document, please do not hesitate to contact us.
