Verified gross mass of packed containers – “he who waits is lost”

Now Peregrine Storrs-Fox, of the TT Club, looks at the changing SOLAS rules from a P&I Club perspective and warns cargo interests they are in danger of non-compliance with the forthcoming changes

There has to be a stark warning to any in the containerised supply chain who are yet to prepare for the onset of compulsory container weighing on 1 July 2016: you are in danger of not complying. Despite publicity across at least the last five years about the issues leading to the amendment to SOLAS (the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) requiring that all packed containers have verified gross mass (VGM), significant tranches of the industry have waited until the 11th hour before addressing the issue of implementation.