Back in 2014, the United Nations and its International Maritime Organization (IMO) formulated a rule requiring the shipper to provide a verified gross weight for each container.  The rule is part of an international treaty, Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).  It goes into effect on July 1, 2016 and applies to all loaded containers moved worldwide.

Modern herbal erection enhancer pills are rightly considered as viagra without prescription. An organic reason can be compounded by viagra on line cheap a psychological condition. The causes buy cialis overnight of CPPS are still unknown. As a young man, it is really disheartening for you to lose erection and you feel viagra pills australia check out that now really frustrated.

The IMO states, “The regulations place a requirement on the shipper of a packed container, regardless of who packed the container, to provide the container’s gross verified weight to the ocean carrier and port terminal representative sufficiently in advance of vessel loading to be used in the preparation of the ship stowage plan.”
Furthermore, the ocean carrier and marine terminal are prohibited from loading a container onto a vessel without a verified gross mass (VGM) weight provided.
Why is it necessary?  The misclassification of container weights contributes vessel breaking/ breaching/capsizing as well as container stack cave-ins and crane collapses.
How do shippers comply?  Compliance can be accomplished in one of two ways:  1) Weigh each item including packaging, pallet, dunnage and securing materials.  Add the sum of these items to the weight of the container (found on the container itself), and you have the VGM.  2) Drive a loaded container onto a certified weigh bridge scale, subtract the weight of the truck, chassis, fuel and driver to obtain the VGM.
Then what?  Once the VGM has been calculated, the shipper will sign a document declaring the VGM and provide this certificate to the ocean carrier and marine terminal operator. Upon receipt of this signed paperwork, the container can be loaded onto ship for ocean-going transit.
We encourage all shippers to start preparing for this regulations to avoid your cargo being left on the dock.Overweight Container w Top Pick

Latest News

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy Chinese New Year and Gung Hay Fat Choy! On February 17th, we will be ushering in the Year of the Horse. More precisely, it is the Year of the Fire Horse, which is quite rare as it only comes around once every sixty years. According to the Chinese Zodiac, the...

AGAIN?!?!

In the wake of the failed attempt to build a waterfront stadium for the A's (along with a housing and retail development), the Port of Oakland in September 2024 initiated a request for proposal for the redevelopment of Howard Terminal. The two finalists are Oakland...

THE JONES’

At their respective state of the port luncheons, both the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach announced plans to grow by building new container terminals, expanding existing terminals and creating support facilities. The Port of Los Angeles will build a new...

CONTENTIOUS CDLs CONTINUED

Last month we provided the below timeline on what has transpired on the subject of non-domiciled commercial drivers licenses (CDL). This month, we added updates to the timeline. September 29, 2025: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) interim...

FMC’S NEW CHAIR

Laura DiBella was sworn in as a Federal Maritime Commissioner on January 6, 2026 and was appointed as chair last week. Before being tapped for the FMC, Ms. DiBella was formerly Florida's Secretary of Commerce. We congratulate Chairwoman DiBella on her appointment and...

Share This