Containers at the Mombasa port. In May 2014, International Maritime
Organisation approved proposed changes to regulation requiring
verification of packed containers’ weights as a condition for vessel
loading. PHOTO | FILE
By KENNEDY SENELWA
In Summary
- The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is making verification of weights a condition for loading packed export containers aboard ships to conform to amended changes to Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention.
- The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) said SOLAS changes aim to curb under-declaring weight of cargo that can lead to shipwrecks, destruction of goods and pollution if hazardous cargo spills into the sea.
- The global rule for shippers to provide verified gross mass (VGM) for every packed container complete with correct documentation targeting enhanced safety is expected to increase cost of operations with consumers bearing the brunt. A container without VGM will not be loaded on a ship from July 1.
Come July, exporters in East Africa will pay more, when a
new requirement on weighing and verifying containers is implemented
globally.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is making
verification of weights a condition for loading packed export containers
aboard ships to conform to amended changes to Safety of Life at Sea
(SOLAS) convention.
Safety is a driver of change as each year over 135 million
containers enter the global supply chain, but many lack accurate weight
estimates, contributing to costly shipping accidents.
The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) said SOLAS changes aim to
curb under-declaring weight of cargo that can lead to shipwrecks,
destruction of goods and pollution if hazardous cargo spills into the
sea.
The global rule for shippers to provide verified gross mass
(VGM) for every packed container complete with correct documentation
targeting enhanced safety is expected to increase cost of operations
with consumers bearing the brunt.
A container without VGM will not be loaded on a ship from July
1. A shipper sending goods will be responsible for proper verified
weighing of packed container and documentation for cargo to be loaded on
a vessel. Any container exceeding maximum gross mass will not be loaded
to a ship.
KMA acting director-general Cosmas Cherop said a container
leaving a port will have a document signed either electronically or in
hard copy by the shipper on bill of lading. Shippers will make the
information available in advance to the port and the shipping line.
The first method of obtaining VGM entails using calibrated
certified equipment to weigh the packed container. The second method is
to weigh each item including cargo, palleting, dunnage, other packing
with securing gears and adding weight of the container to get VGM.
Shippers using either of the two methods will have to be registered and
approved by KMA.
There is a significant variance of the cost for weighing a
container globally. The fees could range from $136 to $225 depending on
the location and the fees levied by the gross mass verifier.
IMO in May 2014 approved proposed changes to SOLAS regulation
requiring verification of packed containers’ weights as a condition for
vessel loading. IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee on November 21, 2014
adopted the new SOLAS requirement to enter into force on July 1.
KMA researcher Joyce Awino said ships have been taking exporters at their word only to end up with under-declared weight.
She said VGM requires documents be sent in advance to shipping
line agents and port authority. In case of non-compliance, the container
will not be loaded on the ship and a shipper’s registration may be
withdrawn by KMA.
The VGM regulation will be enforced by KMA and Surface and
Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) respectively in Mombasa
and Dar es Salaam ports as export points for East and Central Africa
region.
Sumatra started a trial implementation of VGM at the Dar es Salaam port in February ahead of the July start date.
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