Verified Gross Mass

What is the Verified Gross Mass (VGM)?

  • The verified gross mass is the combined weight of the container’s tare weight and the weight of all cargo, including packaging and dunnage.

Why implement the VGM?

  • The new regulation was adopted by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) to increase maritime safety and reduce risks facing cargo, containers and all those involved in container transport throughout the supply chain.

When will the VGM requirement been forced?

•The VGM requirement will be effective from 1 July 2016. Hereafter, carriers will not be allowed to load a packed container on to their vessels, unless a VGM has been provided by the shipper.

Konteineru Pārvadājumi

Who will be responsible for the VGM submission?

  • The ‘Shipper’ named on the ocean Bill of Lading is the party responsible for providing the VGM to the carrier. A VGM needs to be submitted for every container being loaded on the vessel, before the load list cut-off. If the VGM is not provided in due time, the container cannot be loaded.

How to submit VGM?

  • A shipper can authorize a third party to provide the VGM on their behalf. In this case authorized person, will order weighing on certified scaled weight and submit VGM straight to shipping lines by online system.
  • Shippers can provide the VGM manually (fax, email). In this case simple excel form can be sent, where the name of shipper and signature is required in addition to container number and weight. Also, weighing method need to be shown.

Method 1

Total Weight of Container – Truck Tractor/Fuel = Loaded Weight

Real weight of the container including tare after the cargo is packed/loaded into the container.

Method 2

Addition of the whole cargo including packing and the tare weight of the container.

Requires weighing all the cargo and contents of the container and adding those weights to the container’s tare weight as indicated on the door end of the container.

Will the VGM be shown on the Bill of Lading?

  • No, it will not. The VGM is declared separately from the gross cargo weight entered in the Bill of Lading.

 If shipper does not provide VGM, several possible outcomes may occur, such as, but not limited to the following:

  • container would be rejected at the terminal
  • additional costs may incur for the time spent outside the terminal awaiting submission of the VGM
  • demurrage and/or detention may apply when a container is sitting idle at the terminal awaiting for VGM submission
  • per diem if container is rejected and booking is rolled
  • penalties which will be determined by the SOLAS enforcing authority

SOLAS STATEMENT:

Customer/Shipper acknowledges that it is required to provide verified weights obtained on calibrated, certified equipment of all cargo that is to be tendered to steamship lines and represents that Company is entitled to rely on the accuracy of such weights and to counter-sign or endorse it as agent of Customer in order to provide the certified weight to the steamship lines. The Customer/Shipper agrees that it shall indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any and all claims, losses, penalties or other costs resulting from any incorrect or questionable statements of the weight provided by the Customer/Shipper or its agent or contractor on which the Company relies.

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