集装箱总重量验证(VGM)

Date: 27th January, 2021

Subject: VGM vs BL Container Gross Weight Mandatory Match

Thank you for your support to our company. For complying with SOLAS VGM regulation by IMO and also customs requirement of various countries such as China and Kenya, we would like to draw the attention of your esteemed company again the necessary matching between VGM vs BL Container Gross Weight. We are looking forward to your continuous cooperation and please contact our local Customer Service team if any assistance is needed.

For all locations

• BL & Manifest Container Gross Weight MUST match with VGM
• General tolerance level is +/- 5% or one metric ton whichever smaller
• Different countries / terminals may have different tolerance index
• VGM and Container Gross Weight should not exceed Maximum Gross Weight per CSC
  Plate bolted to Container Door
• Any incompliance may lead to extra operational costs, customs penalties, local
  charges and our Line Administration Fee of USD300 per box

Customer Service Management

Emirates Shipping Line

Further to our advisory on 25th Feb, we would like to update you per below for your preparation before the effective of 1st July 2016.

(A) LATEST IMO NOTICE ON 23rd MAY – (attached) below is extracted for your easy reference.

MSC.1Circ.1548_Advice.pdf

Quote:

The Committee agreed that Administrations and port State control authorities should adopt a practical and pragmatic approach when verifying compliance with the requirements of SOLAS regulations VI/2.4 to VI/2.6, for a period of three months after 1 July 2016, with a view to:

1. Permitting packed containers that are loaded on a ship before 1 July 2016 and are transshipped on or after 1 July 2016 to be shipped to their final port of discharge without the VGM specified in SOLAS regulations VI/2.4 to VI/2.6; and

2.Providing flexibility to all the stakeholders in containerized transport to refine, if necessary, procedures for documenting, communicating and sharing VGM information.

Unquote:

(B) PRINCIPLES OF VGM

“NO VGM, NO LOADING” with effective 1st July 2016 at first loading port

(C) SHIPPERS’ RESPONSIBILITY

The shipper on Ocean Bill of Lading is responsible to provide valid VGM to ocean carrier and/or port terminal, for complying SOLAS regulations and local requirement of ocean carrier and port terminal.

VGM should be signed by either the shipper or a person duly authorized by the shipper.

(D) METHOD OF WEIGHING

Method No. 1:

Shipper may weigh the packed container by using calibrated and certified equipment. The scale, weighbridge, lifting equipment or other devices used to verify the gross mass of the container must meet the applicable accuracy standards and requirements of the State in which the equipment is being used, per IMO Guidelines.

Method No. 2:

Shipper may weigh all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other packing and securing material to be packed in the container, and add the tare mass of the container to the sum of the single masses of the container’s content. Weighing equipment must meet the applicable accuracy standards and requirements of the State in
which the equipment is being used, per IMO Guidelines.

(E) LOCAL REQUIREMENT

Various local authorities, ports and terminals are putting full effort to evaluate the appropriate procedures and time frame for VGM compliance. Our local offices are also closely liaising with these parties for the latest update to your good companies. Please coordinate with our local offices for any necessary support on VGM submission.

In order to address safety problems at sea and on shore from container shipments that have incorrect weight declaration, International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted amendments to the Safety of Life at SEA (SOLAS) Convention as global law, Chapter VI Regulation 2 – Cargo information regarding mandatory Verified Gross Mass of container, together with associated guideline published as MSC.1/Circ. 1475 (IMO Guidelines).

With effective from 1st July 2016, IMO will enter into force of SOLAS requirement on the shipper of a packed container to verify and provide the container gross verified weight to the ocean carrier and port terminal representative prior to it being loaded onto a ship. “A packed container will not be allowed to be loaded on board vessels to which the SOLAS Convention applies unless the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the container has been provided to the ship’s master or his representative and to the terminal or its representative sufficiently in advance to allow for the edition of the loading plan.”

Responsibility for obtaining and documenting the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of a packed container lies with the shipper. There are 2 major methods prescribed by SOLAS regulations.

Method No. 1:

Shipper may weigh the packed container by using calibrated and certified equipment. The scale, weighbridge, lifting equipment or other devices used to verify the gross mass of the
container must meet the applicable accuracy standards and requirements of the State in which the equipment is being used, per IMO Guidelines.

Method No. 2:

Shipper may weigh all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other packing and securing material to be packed in the container, and add the tare mass
of the container to the sum of the single masses of the container’s content. Weighing equipment must meet the applicable accuracy standards and requirements of the State in which the equipment is being used, per IMO Guidelines.

We will keep you informed when more update is available.

For more detailed information, please visit below source material:

SOLAS regulations and IMO Guidelines regarding VGM of container carrying cargo

Guidelines for Improving Safety and Implementing the SOLAS Container Weight Verification Requirements

Verified Gross Mass Industry FAQS