Updated_Final TMWS Print File 15.03.18

16 TMWS 16 th - 31 st March 2018
Nautical News
Shippers have two options or methods to verify the container
weight. Whichever method is used, the shipper will get
a certificate which certifies that the gross mass has been
verified and thus the shipping line gets the VGM certificate.
Under method 1, once the container is packed, it is taken to
an accredited weigh bridge to verify the weight of the cargo
packed into the container and this weight becomes the
VGM.
Under method 2, the cargo about to be packed into the
container is weight separately and the empty container is
weighed separately and the total of these two weights becomes
the VGM.
In this process, the carrier is NOT liable to verify the weight
of the container or verify the accuracy of the VGM certificate
provided by the shipper.
However, if the carrier loads a container onto a ship without
receiving the VGM from the shipper, the carrier may be liable
for not following the agreed process with SOLAS/IMO.
Depending on the country, shippers can weigh their containers
and secure the VGM using their own weighbridge,
port weighbridge, 3rd party weighbridge, etc. Main criteria is
that the VGM certificate should be issued by a weighbridge
accredited by the Maritime Authority of that country.
Has the SOLAS VGM Been Successful?
Well, Shipping and Freight Resource posted this question
425 days after the implementation of SOLAS VGM and the
responses seems to have been fairly balanced.
www.tmwsmagazine.com
Logistics Service Provider: “We are Logistics forwarding
service co. and we are glad to say that we have no issue
with SOLAS VGM implementation.”
Importer: Being an importer and having the Incoterm as
EXW, we have to collect the shipment from the shipper. And
this regulation this has increased the transport cost as it
has to go to a certified weighbridge first before going to the
port.
Employee of Container Terminal: VGM has increased workload
to a little extent. VGM has a slight impact on export
weight misdeclaration.
Weighbridge Operator: As a private weighbridge operation,
we have noticed a marked increase in the volume of containers
weighing under SOLAS guidelines. From a weighbridge
operation point of view, it’s definitely changed the face of
container weighing for our company here in New Zealand.
Shipping Line: As the OPS Supervisor on of the shipping line
in Vladivostok commercial port, frankly speaking, nothing
serious changed from the chapter came into effect for Russian
port – Vladivostok.
SOLAS VGM has brought the serious consequences of container
weight misdeclaration to the fore and the strict implementation
of the same seems to have acted a major deterrent
in bringing down the instances and incidents of such
misdeclaration.
It is every shippers moral and now legal responsibility to
follow this regulation.
16 th - 31s t March 2018 TMWS 17
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