Shippers must provide a verified gross mass (VGM) for containers starting on July 1, 2016. These changes reflect amendments to the International Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), approved by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Under the changes, the shipper is required to provide a signed VGM to the terminal and the master of a vessel or their representative, in advance of a container being loaded. Providing a VGM for a container allows the master of a vessel to plan ship loading, so that the ship is stable, hull strength and stack weights are not exceeded and lashing arrangements are effective.

According to recent industry research accurate measurements are going to be a significant challenge; only about one third (36%) of FCL freight quotes https://www.freightos.com/ready-for-solas/ included reported weights at the procurement and quoting stage.

For more information about solutions for SOLAS compliance requirements be sure to contact X2 Group.