VGM Solas – sbslines.com

VGM- SOLAS regulation

This section provides you with convenient access to all relevant tools and information about the SOLAS – VGM regulations:

SOLAS VGM Method
SOLAS – FAQs

In order to address safety problems at sea and on shore arising from container shipments that have incorrect weight declarations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention that will enter into force on July 1st, 2016.

At this time, the verification of the gross weight (VGM) of a packed export container will be required before the container is loaded on board a ship.

The responsibility for obtaining and documenting the verified gross weight (VGM) of a packed container lies with the shipper.

The SOLAS regulations provide two methods by which the shipper may obtain the VGM of a packed container.

Method No. 1:
After packing and sealing a container and using calibrated and certified equipment, the shipper may weigh, or arrange for a third party to weigh, the packed container.
The scale, weighbridge, lifting equipment or other devices used to verify the gross mass of the container must meet the applicable accuracy standards and requirements of the State in which the equipment is being used.

Method No. 2:
The shipper (or, by arrangement of the shipper, a third party) may weigh all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage, and other packing and securing material to be packed in the container, and add the tare mass of the container to the sum of the single masses of the container’s contents
The weighing equipment used to weigh the contents of the container must meet the applicable accuracy standards and requirements of the state in which the equipment is being used.
Furthermore, a container that does not have a verified gross weight will not be loaded onboard the vessels.
We will continue to keep you updated of any changes to this requirement.

Please be advised that when providing your VGM, we ask that you break down the weight to cargo weight and container tare weight separately.

Should you have any questions, please contact your local SBS Line agent, who will be happy to assist you.

What is the Verified Gross Mass (VGM)?

The VGM is the measurement of a shipping container’s total weight, including its contents.
Effective from 1st July 2016, a packed container is not allowed to be loaded on board vessels unless its VGM has been provided by to the ocean carrier prior to the load list cut-off date.

When should the VGM be submitted?

Deadline for submission of VGM is published on our website under local schedule.
Please make sure to submit VGM on time. Without VGM your container will not be loaded.
If you have any further inquiries, our booking team will be happy to assist you.

Who is the “Shipper” in the context of the responsibility for providing the VGM?

For purposes of this regulation, the full responsibility falls to that of the Shipper who appears on the Carrier’s B/L.

For consolidated cargo – who provides the VGM to the Carrier?

SBS will receive the VGM from the Freight Forwarder consolidating the cargo and not the separate weights of each different part of the shipment.

What is the cutoff time to submit the VGM?

This is determined locally. The Carrier is responsible to include the VGM in the load list submitted to the terminal. Each terminal requires the load list at a different point in time prior to vessel arrival. Our agents will provide the cutoff time. We intend to provide the VGM Cutoff time on our booking confirmation.

How can the VGM be submitted to the agents?

The VGM can be submitted by one of the following channels:

Email to the Local Booking Agent – quick list to local offices can be found here
Include it on the Shipping Instructions as long as they are sent in a timely manner