Friday5 container weighing

Friday Five

This is the Second of our Friday 5 series giving short five-point updates on key subjects in international trade and logistics during 2016.

Today’s message concerns the new weight verification, which will be in operation from the 1st July this year. It is, however, important to be aware that these rules relate only to goods being transported in containers by sea.

The International Maritime Organization’s safety committee approved the necessary changes to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Act. This requires the shipper to supply evidence of cargo weight verification. It will be supplied to the ship’s master – or his representative – and also the terminal operator.

1. My first point is that without an approved weight verification certificate your goods will not be shipped.

2. Second, the shipper must be registered with the appropriate authority prior to the export.

3. There is a need to consider which of the two options is best for you. The first requires the shipper to verify the gross mass of the packages and the second method requires the carrier to weigh the packed container, using calibrated and certified weighing equipment with the goods inside. This would mean using a weighbridge prior to the goods arriving at the port. However, you may encounter delays at busy times.

4. The gross mass is required in order to prepare the stowage plan and consideration must be given to any ‘just in time’ operations as they will need strict coordination between the shipper and the carrier.

5. And last, when dealing with LCL cargo, in most cases I would recommend method two to be used. However, the responsibility to provide information still lies with the shipper who is named on the carrier’s bill of lading.

For more information on the subject contact us via email, info@felixstowe-ac.co.uk or phone us on 01394 458500