Dear OL friends

 

who ever believes that they will get away with an easy start on Solas VGM seems to be wrong. A lot of shipper and transport companies did not even prepare yet and the rule will start on July 1st, 2016.

 

 

Containers will arrive at the port without the VGM verification and will be delayed in loading, may need to be weighed again, at some terminals they may not even be accepted at the gate!

 

 

Even if you did it all right, there will be enough containers coming up without the certification of the weight and the other operations will be delayed.

 

 

Carriers will have to think about a reduced load factor as they may not be able to load a certain percentage of boxes that are not certified!

 

 

This new Solas VGM seems to be taken much to easily by the transport industry, but it will have a lot of consequences.

 

 

One by one the carriers come up with instructions, here one circular from MSC to the customers:

 

 

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NOTICE TO CLIENTS

SOLAS: VERIFIED GROSS MASS (VGM) IMPLEMENTATION

 

 
Dear Valued Client,

 

 
SOLAS : VERIFIED GROSS MASS (VGM)

 

 
In order to adequately prepare for a smooth implementation of the SOLAS – VGM requirements, effective as from 01 July 2016, we kindly draw your attention to the below information.

 

 
VGM RESPONSIBILITY:
The SOLAS VGM requirement places a duty on the shipper to provide a verified gross mass of each packed container to the carrier, terminal, and Master. Any estimation of the weight is no longer permitted.

 

 
DETERMINING THE VGM OF A CONTAINER:
Two methods are accepted for determining the VGM of a container:

 

 
1. Method No. 1:
After packing and sealing a container, the shipper or shipper’s agent may arrange to have the packed container weighed using calibrated and certified equipment.
This method is appropriate for any packed container and any kind of goods.
The weigh bridge does not need to be accredited by SAMSA, however the weigh bridge must conform to all current regulatory standards. We suggest contacting SANAS and NRCS for further information on weigh bridge compliance.

 

 
2. Method No. 2:
The shipper (or a third party appointed by the 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 containers’ contents.
The tare mass of the container is visible on the exterior of the container and should be used.

 

 

The party packing the container cannot use the weight somebody else has provided, except in one specific set of defined circumstances where the cargo has been previously weighed and that weight is clearly and permanently marked on the surface of the goods.

 

 
Any estimation of the contents of a container is no longer permitted.

 

 
Method 2 compliance: The method used for weighing the containers’ content is subject to certification and approval as determined by SAMSA. SAMSA have begun the process of approving companies for weight auditing. We are currently aware of five SAMSA accredited companies, and suggest that you contact them for more information on method 2 weight verification:

 

 

1. General & Marine Surveyors
Area : National
Contact : Dave Johnson
Website : marineaudit.net
Office number : 011 318 2037
Cell number : 083 625 8480
Email : dave@marinesurveyors.co.za

 

 
2. ABC Kings
Area : National
Contact : Ricky Pillay
Website : www.abckings.co.za
Office number : 031 505 3526
Cell number : 084 227 4259
Email : ricky@abckings.co.za

 

 
3. B&L Export Consultants
Area : National
Contact : Cobus Leibrandt
Office number : 021 914 6078
Cell number : 084 501 5737
Email : cobus@b-l.co.za

 

 
4. PPECB
Area : KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape
Contact : Shubesco Heilbron
Office number : 021 930 1134
Cell number : 082 441 2503
Email : vgmassessment@ppecb.com

 

 
5. Supply Chain Compliance Services
Area : KwaZulu-Natal & Gauteng
Contact : Themba Mkhize
Office number : 031 836 8311
Cell number : 083 792 5657
Email : themba@zeethembe.co.za

 

 
PROCEDURE FOR SUBMISSION OF VGM:
In order to submit the VGM for each container to MSC, Clients will be required to enter the VGM into the MSC website, alternatively directly into NAVIS, in the same manner that container weights were previously entered during pre-advising of containers.

 

 
Whenever weights are entered into the MSC website, or NAVIS, by the shipper or shipper’s agent, the weight entered must be the verified gross mass, and not an estimate as previously accepted.

 

 
CHANGES TO THE MSC WEBSITE AND NAVIS TO ALLOW FOR VGM DECLARATION:
MSC is currently making the relevant changes to our website in order to ensure a swift VGM declaration procedure. The changes will provide a space for entry of the VGM, and provide an additional space for the authorised declarant to provide his or her name. It is the duty of the shipper to ensure that the name of the authorised declarant is entered into the system.

 

 
For any person entering information directly into NAVIS, a space will be provided on the NAVIS system for him or her to enter their name as the authorised declarant of the VGM. Again, it is the duty of the shipper to ensure that the name of the authorised declarant is entered into the system.

 

 
DATE BY WHICH VGM MUST BE SUBMITTED:
MSC requires submission of the VGM during pre-advising of any container into the MSC website, or NAVIS. Accordingly, the VGM declaration will have to be made prior to containers entering the port terminals.

 

 
RECEIPT OF THE VGM DECLARATION BY MSC, TPT, AND THE MASTER:
Entering the VGM into the MSC website, alternatively directly into NAVIS, during pre-advising will be deemed to be a SOLAS compliant declaration directly to MSC, TPT, and the Master.

 

 
PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING THE VGM:
It is necessary for MSC to receive the VGM timeously for stow planning. The pre-advice system has been identified as the key shipping document for submission of the VGM declaration, as the weights entered into the system are the weights utilised by the line to plan its vessels.

 

 
The SOLAS VGM amendment is intended to address safety problems at sea and on shore arising from container shipments that have incorrect weight declarations. MSC supports these initiatives, and we will endeavor to assist shippers by keeping the added administrative burden placed on them as minimal as possible.

 

 
We thank you for your valued support and assure you of our continued commitment. For any additional information kindly contact your local MSC agency.

 

 
DATE: APRIL 2016
DISCLAIMER: The above discussion on the SOLAS VGA amendments is not exhaustive, nor does it constitute legal advice on the matter. All interested parties are kindly requested to familiarise themselves with the full texts available as follows:

 

 
SOLAS regulations and the IMO Guidelines Regarding the Verified Gross Mass of Container Carrying Cargo
(MSC.1/Circ.1474, 9 June 2014) http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/cargo-weight
The IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) and the CTU Code
Informative Materials can be found at: http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/containers

 

 

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