"Today we will take you to understand the container weight verification regulations (VGM), what is VGM, container overweight will bring security risks to the ship's safety, VGM and what are the rules?
What is VGM and what are the specific rules?
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has released the news that it will implement the requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS Convention) regarding the weight checking of export containers (VGM), which requires that from 1 July 2016, containers will no longer be allowed to be loaded unless the shipper on the bill of lading has provided the weight of the container to the ocean carrier and/or the terminal representative. The thrust is that the requirement to verify gross container weight is a commitment to safety. Misrepresentation of the gross weight of a container poses risks and leads to accidents for both inbound and outbound personnel, inland and offshore cargo, and equipment, and the Verified Gross Container Weight (VGM) requirement is designed to minimise these hazards.
The regulations make it clear that:
l?Shippers are responsible for providing container weights
There are two approved weighing methods for determining the weight of a container.
Terminal operators are obliged to ensure that containers with verified weights are boarded.
The new rules are therefore crucial to improving safety at sea and ensuring that goods, containers and all aspects of containerised transport throughout the supply chain are made less hazardous.
Under the new regulations, the shipper is responsible for providing the ocean carrier or terminal representative with the verified gross weight of each container in the cargo before it is loaded on the vessel. But who is the shipper named in the new regulations? The shipper should be a legal entity.
l? is the shipper on the ocean bill of lading or ocean waybill and related shipping documents
l? is the party or representative who enters into a contract of carriage with the shipping company. Therefore the shipper will be responsible for providing the weight check of the loaded container, whether on behalf of a third party or otherwise, so it is important to be aware of the new rules.
The shipper will be required to provide a weight check of the container in the shipping instructions, regardless of whether or not such documents have been uploaded through the company's website or EDI system.
Shippers need to plan the VGM into the shipment cycle.
Shippers need to have a process in place to integrate weight services between each part of the supply chain (freight forwarders, truckers, terminals and shipping lines).
l?Since the shipper is legally responsible for providing VGM, the potential cost of being responsible for this provision needs to be calculated.
l?Shippers need to be aware of the local regulations and associated penalties that may be involved.
If the shipper fails to provide VGM information to the carrier as well as the terminal representative on time, the carrier as well as the terminal representative has the right to refuse shipment. l?
l?Impact on shippers
Who is responsible for submitting VGM information?
The "shipper" on the ocean bill of lading is the party responsible for providing VGM to the carrier. Each container needs to submit VGM by the VGM deadline in order to be loaded onto the ship. If the VGM cannot be submitted before the VGM deadline, the container cannot be loaded onto the vessel.
2、Will the VGM be shown on the bill of lading?
No
3、Is VGM required for bulk cargo?
No
Due to the new regulations, it is the terminal's responsibility to ensure that it has complete VGM information for each booking prior to finalising the loading schedule.
Terminals will receive VGM information from shippers or ocean carriers and will need to have facilities or other system equipment to receive EDI to ensure that the information is entered into the system in a timely manner. If the VGM information is submitted under port supervision, the terminal will need to send the information to the carrier.
In rare instances, the terminal may weigh containers for which VGM information has been submitted. If there is any difference between the two, the value selected by the terminal will be the final result.
Container overweight will bring great potential danger to ship's safety, so I will once again sort out the VGM related regulations in the form of Q&A to make it easier for you to remember!
A few questions and answers about VGM
(i) What is the origin of VGM?
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in order to increase maritime safety and reduce the risk of transport caused by overweight of laden containers. It applies to the scope of global maritime transport. Maritime transport accidents caused by overweight!
(ii) VGM effective date?
Effective from 1 July 2016 onwards.
(iii) What is Export Load Container Weight?
"Export Load Container Weight" ? = ? Cargo weight (Gross weight) + Cargo overpack weight (with pallets, cartons, reinforcements, etc.) + Empty container weight (tare weight marked on the box) The Export Load Container Weight is the sum of the Cargo weight, Cargo overpack weight (with pallets, cartons, reinforcements, etc.) and Empty container weight (tare weight marked on the box).
(iv) Who should submit the VGM information?
STEP1: The consignor is responsible for providing the actual weight of the goods to the booking agent.
STEP2: The booking agent is responsible for sending it to the shipowner or shipowner's agent in the form of EDI.
STEP3: The shipowner or shipping agent will send the information to the port and ship.
Shipper → Shipper's booking agent (freight forwarder) → Shipowner or shipping agent → port area and ship.
(E) Who will verify the authenticity of VGM data?
A. The consignor himself is the gatekeeper;
B. Shipowners do not verify the accuracy of VGM data;
C. Maritime authorities have the right to question the data.
(vi) Is there a cut-off time for VGM?
There is a cut-off time for shipping companies, which is set by each shipping company itself.
(vii) What is the risk of not submitting VGM or submitting VGM late?
NO VGM, NO LOAD!
(H) What should I do if I need to change the submitted VGM data?
A. Before the deadline, the shipping company allows changes;
B. After the deadline, modification is allowed, but the shipping company needs to charge;
C. 6 hours before the vessel berths, in principle, no more changes will be accepted. (Specifically follow the rules of the shipping company, the agents have to keep their eyes open!)
(ix) Is there any remedy for non-submission of VGM data?
For export containers without VGM information, the consignor can choose to apply for weighing to the port area when entering the port, and the port area will issue a VGM report and charge a certain fee.
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