Transport Canada publishes SOLAS Requirements of VGM of Packed Containers

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has amended the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) to require, as a condition for loading a packed container onto a ship for export, that the container has a verified weight. The shipper is responsible for the verification of the packed container’s weight. This requirement will become legally effective on July 1, 2016. After that date, it will be a violation of SOLAS to load a packed container onto a vessel if the vessel operator and marine terminal operator do not have a verified container weight.

Learn more here.

In addition, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) published guidance on the requirements, specifically for transhipped containers prior to the July 1, 2016 implementation date.

The Verification of Gross Mass is not required for packed containers carried on a chassis or a trailer, and driven on or off a roll on/roll off ship engaged on:

  • An inland voyage,
  • A sheltered waters voyage,
  • A near coastal voyage, or
  • Class 2 and near coastal voyage, Class 1

Transport Canada has published the Canadian procedure on the requirements for the verification of the gross mass of packed containers and provided the release of its Ship Safety Bulletin RDIMS No.: 11733860. The new requirements are effective July 1, 2016.

To help shippers comply with these new requirements, Transport Canada, Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS), in consultation with Measurement Canada, various stakeholder’s groups and associations, has developed and published the final version of the Canadian Procedure for Obtaining the Verified Gross Mass of Packed Containers as Required by Solas VI/2 (TP 15330E).

To learn about the calibration and the certification of weighing equipment for the purpose of trade, the shipper may contact any of the authorized service providers (ASP) listed on Measurement Canada’s web site.