VERIFIED GROSS WEIGHT DECLARATION (VGM)
The consequences of misdeclaration of cargo weights to be carried in the containers can be too high. In case the discrepancy between the actual weight and declared weight of the cargo is unnoticed, due to the wrong stowage planning of the vessels or utilizing unsuitable handling equipment, the vessel itself, the crew and shore-side personnel would be subject very high risk which may capsize the vessel or cause harming the personnel even death.
In order to be able to avoid the misdeclaration of the cargo weights, at its ninety-fourth session (17-21 November 2014) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), inter alia, has adopted amendments to the Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Regulation VI/2, to require the mandatory verification of gross mass of packed containers.
The SOLAS amendments introduce two main new requirements:
-The shipper is responsible for providing the verified weight by stating it in the shipping document and submitting it to the master or his representative and to the terminal representative sufficiently in advance to be used in the preparation of the ship stowage plan; and
-The verified gross mass is a condition for loading a packed container on to a ship
Under the SOLAS amendments, there are two permissible methods of weighing:
-Method 1: According to this method, packed container can be weighed using calibrated and certified equipment.
-Method 2: According to this method, the shipper can weigh all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other securing material to be packed in the container and adding the tare mass of the container to the sum of the single masses, using a certified method approved by the competent authority of the State, in which packing of the container was completed.
Verified Gross Weight should be communicated to the master or his representative and to the terminal representative in SHIPPING DOCUMENT. This document can be part of the shipping instructions to the carrier or a separate communication. (e.g. a declaration including a weight certificate produced by a weigh station utilizing calibrated and certified equipment on the route between the shipper’s origin and the port terminal). This declaration, no matter in which way they are communicated, should be signed by the authorized representative of the shipper.
Verified Gross Weight should be communicated to the master or his representative and to the terminal representative at least X* hours before the loading operation of the vessel has commenced. If the shipper fails to provide this declaration, his full container shall not be loaded on to the vessel.
Application of the SOLAS amendment shall commence on July 1st 2016.
The SOLAS amendment and the guidelines can be found in the flowing links.
-SOLAS Amendment
-Guidelines
p.s.
X*: Cut off time can be different for each port. We shall inform you about it afterwards.