July 1, 2016

ADVICE TO ADMINISTRATIONS, PORT STATE CONTROL
AUTHORITIES, COMPANIES, PORT TERMINALS AND MASTERS REGARDING THE SOLAS REQUIREMENTS

FOR VERIFIED GROSS MASS OF PACKED CONTAINERS
1.      The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-sixth session (11 to 20 May 2016), recalled that the amendments to SOLAS regulation VI/2, adopted by resolution MSC.380(94) and which will enter into force on 1 July 2016, introduce new paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 relating to the verification of the gross mass (VGM) of packed containers.

1.      In this context, the Committee noted the concerns of Member States regarding practical aspects of compliance with the aforementioned SOLAS amendments, in particular, relating to transhipped containers and communication of VGM information, in an initial period following their entry into force.

1.       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 transhipped on or after 1 July 2016 to be shipped to their final  port  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.
1.      Notwithstanding the above, the Committee emphasized that the stability and safe operation of ships, including the safe packing, handling and transport of containers, is not limited to the provision and use of VGM information and is also covered by a number of SOLAS regulations, including SOLAS regulations  VI/2.1,  VI/2.2  and  VI/2.3,  and  other  IMO instruments, amongst others.

1.      Member States are invited to be guided accordingly and to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned, especially port State control officers.

This circular will remain effective until 1 October 2016.