IMO ends ‘light touch’ on container weight verification 

The International Maritime Organisation, IMO’s three-month so-called “light touch” enforcement of the SOLAS revision that all packed containers must have certified verified gross mass (VGM) before loading on board a ship comes to an end today.

Industry fears of supply chain chaos on 1 July when the new VGM regulations came into force, were largely overcome by education and a pragmatic approach by all stakeholders.

According to data from the World Shipping Council, the VGM compliance reported by its member container lines is as high as 95%.

Nevertheless, with the ending of the grace period, the TT Club, which did a sterling job on the education front line pre-VGM, is adding a note of caution.

It said, “Much still needs to be done to achieve accurate VGM certification and universal enforcement of the rules”.



Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.