Container Loading to ShipThe Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, set to take effect on July 1st, require the shipper to provide the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the combined weight of the cargo, dunnage and container prior to cargo being loaded upon a vessel.

 

There has been considerable pressure on the rule making body, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ocean carriers and terminal operators to find a better approach to the weight submission guidelines outlined in the rule.  As a refresher, SOLAS identified two options to calculate the VGM:  1) Weigh the cargo, packaging, pallets, dunnage and add in the tare weight of the container, or 2) weigh the loaded container and subtract the weight of the truck, chassis and fuel.  

 

US exporters have been pushing for alternatives to these two calculation methods. They contend providing the VGM in the manner dictated by the IMO is redundant to weight submission guidelines already present in the US.  Currently, exporters are required to provide the gross and net cargo weights, and terminals in the US are mandated by OSHA to weigh loaded containers.  As such, there are other options to obtain the VGM than those outlined by the IMO.  And, the US Coast Guard, the agency responsible for enforcement, agrees.

Hypnosis can reduce sexual performance anxiety to promote a more relaxed and confident sense of downtownsault.org viagra 25 mg self, optimize self-esteem, happiness and boost self confidence. What follows suit is the abrupt downsizing of the system’s performance, alarmingly detached visual outlook of the downtownsault.org pfizer viagra pharmacy device and dysfunctional components. In cheap levitra tablets conclusion, it would be righteous to say that many a times they get anxious about there performance during the sexual sessions. This effect can be received at less time duration of viagra sans prescription downtownsault.org thirty minutes.

 

Given this pushback, the question of enforcement as well as differing interpretations around the world, the IMO has recommended “a practical and pragmatic approach when verifying compliance…for a period of three months after 1 July 2016.” The statement goes on to say this grace period is granted with the intention of “providing flexibility…to refine, if necessary, the procedures for documenting, communicating and sharing VGM information.

 

It would seem the hard stance of “no VGM, no load” is beginning to soften in favor of less disruptive compliance options.

Latest News

KICKING THE ILA CAN DOWN THE ROAD

The International Longshoremen's Association's (ILA) strike was suspended on October 3rd after immense pressure by the Biden Administration on the members of United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to sweeten the wage offer. The employer group originally offered a 32%...

HALLOWEEN HIGH JINX

We like to have fun on Halloween. We had smaller numbers dress up this year, but have no fear, we exerted enough peer pressure to ensure we have more next year. We had a scary clown, Carmen San Diego, a vampire, a zombie, an Oompa Loompa and an 80's tribute. Good...

GATE FEES INCREASING

The Extended Hour Gate Fee at SSA's terminal in Oakland will increase from $40 to $45 effective today, November 1, 2025. The fee is assessed on every container regardless of the time of day it is transacted. While this increase is specific to SSA, be prepared for the...

A TRUE ADVOCATE

Our hats are off to Dee Sova for being awarded the American Trucking Associations' John Lex Premier Achievement Award. Dee has been an outspoken supporter of the independent contractor model as well as for women in trucking. While we do not have the good fortune of...

SURVEY SAYS

The American Truck Research Institute (ATRI) surveys drivers and trucking companies annually to determine the top industry issues. This year, the respondents from California diverged rather sharply from the rest of the nation. Nationwide, the top three issues are: The...

Share This