What is SOLAS?
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international maritime safety treaty from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the maritime arm of the United Nations. It regulates the safety of life at sea, which includes any ocean-going vessels. The IMO, in 2015, issued guidelines regarding verified weight of all containers shipped at sea.
A new SOLAS convention takes effect on July 1, 2016, which will require shippers whose names appear on the bill of lading to verify the gross mass of all containers before they are shipped to the terminal. Legal requirements and enforcement are likely to vary among the 159 SOLAS convention signatories, but ocean carriers and terminals will not allow any cargo at sea without verified gross mass from the shipper. In fact, they can be held responsible for loading any container without a verified gross mass and are expected to follow the new convention strictly. Now is the time to act to ensure compliance by using the right weighing equipment.
Why were the new guidelines created?
Declaration of shipping weights has been required for a long time. Verification of shipping weights has not. Verification is now mandatory because undeclared weights have caused unsafe conditions at sea for vessels and crew.
Who enforces the new guidelines?
In general, the enforcement is the responsibility of the maritime organization of each country beginning July 1, 2016.
Although enforcement begins July 1, the implementation should ideally begin by May to avoid disruptions and fines, as some containers get transshipped after July 1 and will depart from their original port of origin as early as May.
How do you comply?
Two methods are allowed. With method 1, you must weigh the entire container, contents and packing. Method 2 requires you to weigh contents separately, adding the packing material and the container tare weight to compute the declared weight.
If non-compliant, the containers shall not be loaded on the vessel, according to the rule. Both the terminal and the shipper can be held responsible.
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Port / Terminal:
Will you turn every shipment away that does not have a verified gross-mass weight?
Are you interested in providing verified gross-mass (VGM) weights as a service for an additional source of revenue?
NVOCC / 3PL Shipper / Forwarder:
Are you consolidating less than container load shipments which will require you to be named as the shipper?
Does it make sense for you to provide the weighing service for your customers as the freight moves through your portion of the supply chain?
What is the aggregate cost of purchasing the weighing service from others versus revenue generation as a service provided?
Manufacturer / Shipper:
Are you willing to pay the extra fees for each container to be verified by someone else or do you want your verified weights coming from a known and trusted source?
Can you afford to have a container held at the port because the verified weight provided to you by an outside source was incorrect?
If you provide the service for yourself, can you use the data elsewhere or in your operational metrics?
Can you provide weights for other manufacturers/shippers as a service for quicker ROI on the equipment?
Is your business prepared for the new SOLAS guidelines to take effect?
If you are working with a freight forwarding company, drayage operation, container terminal, ocean carrier or shipper this two-hour workshop is a must attend.
Have questions on SOLAS? – Join CIFFA (Canadian Freight Forwarder Association) and other industry professionals to better understand the new requirements of the IMO’s SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM), how it will be implemented in Canada and how it will impact you.
Still Time to Register for CIFFA SOLAS Workshops in Montreal (May 3) or Toronto (May 6)
SOLAS VGM: In Canada and Around the World
Presentation by Ruth Snowden
- Outline of the SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) requirements globally and in Canada
- Roles and responsibilities of shippers, carriers, freight forwarders (as principal and as agent)
- Responsibilities under the CIFFA Standard Trading Conditions
- Possible risks – other things to think about
- Transport Canada Ship Safety Bulletin and Canadian Procedure for Verification of the Gross Mass of Packed Containers (draft if not published)
- Shipping Federation Guidance Document (draft if not published)
- Panel Discussion and Q&A
Note: CIFFA’s Legal Counsel Gavin Magrath will attend both Montreal and Toronto workshops and will ensure compliance with CIFFA’s Directive for Compliance to The Competition Act.
Cost: Members $35.00 and Non-Member $70.00
To register for Montreal May 3rd from 14:00 to 16:00 click here
To register for Toronto May 6th from 09:00 to 11:00 click here
