December 18, 2015
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted new regulations under the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) that require shippers to verify and provide the container's gross verified weight to the vessel master or his representative and to the terminal operator for every packed container as a condition for vessel loading. These new requirements become effective on July 1, 2016. After this date, it would be in breach of SOLAS to load a packed container onto a vessel if the vessel master or his representative and the terminal operator do not have a verified weight. K Line will continue to provide updates on this subject.
The brief summary for new requirement:
The Verified Weight means the total gross mass of the loaded container as provided by the shipper (or a third party duly appointed by the shipper). The shipper named on the carrier's BL is responsible to provide the verified weight.
The shipper may use one of two methods to obtain the verified weight:
Method 1 –The packed container is weighed after the end of the stuffing operation using calibrated and certified equipment.
Method 2 – For some uniform or packaged cargo the known weight of cargo packages / pallets etc. and securing material is added to the tare mass of the container.
Under either Method 1 or Method 2, the weighing equipment used must meet the accuracy standards of the country where the equipment is used. Also under either method, the declaration of the verified weight must be signed and dated by the shipper or by its duly authorized representative.
Additional information:
The World Shipping Council (WSC) and its member shipping companies have developed guidelines and FAQs (link below) to explain what the implementation of the regulations will require of shippers, vessel master or his representative and the terminal operator.
(WSC Guideline)
http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/cargo-weight
(WSC FAQs)
http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/faqs/