SOLAS Regulation for Verification of Gross Weight of Export Containers Obligation by law from 1st of July 2016

Starting on the 1 st of July 2016, the gross weight of all export-bound containers loaded with cargo will have to be determined by a certified and approved method right on time before being loaded onto any container vessel in the port. Moreover, the verified gross weight (official term: Verified Gross Mass or VGM) of each full container will also have to be submitted right on time to the shipping line and container terminal parties.

The legal foundation behind this regulation is in accordance with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) SOLAS Convention (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea). This global law was implemented as a national law in each country of the world. Incorrect weight details of loaded containers have been the cause of ship accidents in the past. This new, obligatory regulation is meant to ensure the safety of people, transportation means, cargo and the environment. As of 1st of July 2016, not a single export-bound, cargo-loaded container will be loaded on any container vessel without first determining the verified (confirmed) gross weight (VGM). 

It is the responsibility of the Shipper (Exporter) to submit the documentation stating the verified gross weight of the cargo-loaded container. The Shipper will have to evidence appropriately that an actual weight verification procedure was performed. The verified gross weight of the cargo-loaded container must either appear on an existing shipping document or a stand-alone document, both of which have to be signed by an authorized person of the Shipper. An electronic submission of the document is also permitted, in which case the name of the authorized person will suffice. In any case, the verified gross weight of the container must be explicitly stated in the document. 

There are two methods to determine the Gross Weight of cargo-loaded containers in conformity with the proof requirements:

 Method 1: Weighing of the Cargo-Loaded and Sealed Containers: 

This method 1 is, in case you do not have a calibrated (certified and approved) scale in your own premises, cost intensive. Costs arise for double weighing the container and the truck before and after loading of the container at the premises of the shipper. Moreover, multi-stop (detours and time loss) charges will have to be taken into consideration as the truck will have to be driven to an approved weighing facility (ideally one located near the premises of the Shipper). However, Method 1 is obligatory if commodities such as bulk materials or scrap are involved. 

Please note that the Shipper (Exporter) must still submit the gross weight of the cargo for Export Customs Clearance (issuance of the Export Customs Document with MRN) before the cargo is loaded into the container. Also, a timely submission of the weighing certificates and the document containing the verified gross weight of the cargo-loaded container is difficult considering the long information chain: Weighing Facility → Truck Driver → Trucking Company → Shipper → Forwarding Agent → Shipping Line → Container Terminal. As a rule the posterior weighing of the loaded container at the seaport container terminal is too late for the stowage plan of the vessel and is cost intensive. Important Notice for Exporters Loading Containers to Overseas Countries! 

Method 2: Calculating the Gross Weight of the Loaded and Sealed Container

The shipper must weigh each package meant to be stuffed in the container including the packaging and securing material. An estimated weight is not permitted. The shipper must calculate the sum of the weight of each package including the weight of the packaging and securing material and has to add the tare weight of the utilized empty container. 

The sum of this calculation is the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the container: 

VERIFIED WEIGHT OF ALL PACKAGES + VERIFIED WEIGHT OF PACKAGING & SECURING MATERIAL + WEIGHT OF EMPTY CONTAINER = VGM. 

The tare weight (empty weight) of the container is printed on the outside door of the container. This information can be obtained from the loading personnel once the cargo loading procedure has taken place. 

As far as the calculation of the cargo weight is concerned, every single package (including packaging material, stowage material and securing material) that is intended to be loaded into the container unit has to be weighed by a calibrated scale in your premises.

The advantage of Method 2 is that the verified gross weight can be documented (e.g. on the Shipping Order or Container Packing List) as soon as the container loading has been finished. 

Current State of Implementation of the SOLAS Regulations by the National Authorities: 

The utilization of Method 2 must be certified and approved by the authorities of the country where the loading and sealing procedures of the container was completed. Any weighing equipment used to weigh the contents of the container must meet the applicable accuracy standards and requirements of the country in which the equipment is being used.