In international freight transportation, ensuring cargo and shipping safety remains paramount. The sustained growth of global trade and accelerated globalization have led to massive commodity transfers, particularly through maritime shipping. To meet this demand, shipping companies and ports play crucial roles in logistics and transportation chains. However, this expansion also brings various safety concerns and risks.
To address these challenges, the international shipping industry implemented a new regulation on July 1, 2016, following amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This regulation introduced the mandatory Verified Gross Mass (VGM) requirement for containers, aiming to enhance maritime safety while protecting cargo, containers, and all personnel involved in the transportation chain.
Understanding VGM and Its Significance
Verified Gross Mass (VGM) represents the combined weight of cargo, packing materials, securing equipment, and the container's tare weight. Its importance lies in preventing potential accidents caused by inaccurate container weight information. Such incidents might include container tilting, damage during transit, or even loss at sea. In extreme cases, incorrect weight calculations could lead to vessel capsizing or other maritime disasters.
Under the SOLAS amendments, every container loaded onto a vessel must have its VGM submitted to the shipping company and port terminal before loading. Containers without proper VGM documentation face rejection. This regulation clearly defines shippers' responsibilities while reflecting the international community's shared commitment to improving maritime safety.
Legal Responsibilities for VGM Compliance
The SOLAS amendments place clear legal obligations on shippers to verify their cargo's gross mass. Before loading, shippers must provide VGM through shipping documents—either as part of shipping instructions or via separate electronic or paper communication. This requirement represents not just a legal mandate but an essential component of corporate safety management.
Shippers must ensure their submitted VGM information remains accurate to avoid loading delays or legal consequences. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) recognizes two approved weighing methods for calculating VGM before container loading.
Two Approved Methods for VGM Calculation
Method 1: Full Container Weighing
After completing container loading, the entire container is weighed using certified equipment to obtain its gross mass. This straightforward approach provides immediate and accurate weight data. Containers should proceed directly to weighing facilities after loading, with results properly documented.
This method requires weighing equipment that meets international standards and can handle fully loaded containers. Most ports and logistics centers offer such services, though businesses should verify their partners' weighing capabilities. Importantly, containers shouldn't be moved before weighing, as movement might redistribute cargo and affect weight measurements.
Method 2: Cumulative Weighing
The alternative method involves individually weighing all cargo and contents, then adding these weights to the container's tare weight (clearly marked on its door). While potentially more precise, this labor-intensive process requires meticulous weighing of every item.
This approach serves as a viable alternative when port weighing isn't feasible. Companies must maintain proper equipment and procedures to ensure accurate recording of each item's weight. Despite potentially smaller margins of error, human mistakes or equipment inaccuracies can still occur, requiring extra caution during implementation.
Compliance and Supply Chain Management
To ensure compliance, shippers must establish effective internal processes for verifying and recording each shipment's gross mass. Proper management systems help avoid delays and penalties while improving overall logistics efficiency. Containers without VGM documentation face loading rejection, potentially causing significant financial and reputational damage.
Customs or port authorities may conduct inspections, requiring shippers to provide complete documentation proving their VGM's accuracy. Discrepancies between reported and actual weights may delay customs clearance and incur additional fines.
The industry continues integrating new technologies like artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and IoT into maritime logistics. Companies are exploring these solutions to automate and improve VGM calculation accuracy, thereby reducing human error risks.
Corporate Responsibilities and Future Outlook
In today's complex international trade environment, businesses must recognize their legal and ethical obligations. Compliance with SOLAS amendments protects corporate interests while advancing the logistics sector. Only when all participants fulfill their responsibilities can supply chains operate smoothly.
Future technological advancements may introduce more efficient VGM solutions, such as real-time weight monitoring sensors combined with blockchain for transparent data sharing. The industry should continue updating regulations to meet evolving market needs and foster sustainable global trade growth.
Ultimately, VGM represents more than regulatory compliance—it's a vital maritime safety measure. Accurate weight measurement and documentation enhance transportation efficiency while reducing operational risks. Companies must strengthen internal VGM certification processes to remain competitive internationally. As global trade expands, technological innovation will drive the shipping industry toward greater safety and efficiency, with adaptable businesses best positioned to thrive in this evolving landscape.
