VGM container weight mis-declaration 'rampant at most ports', say forwarders
Container carriers are dealing with widespread weight mis-declarations by shippers, refuelling long-standing ship safety hazard ...
© John Wollwerth
Recent debate in the US over the forthcoming implementation of the amendment to Solas, that will see shippers obliged to deliver a certificate of an export container’s verified gross mass if it is to be loaded on its designated vessel, has been strange to say the least. Some of it, frankly, has been near-hysterical, and not in the funny sense of the word. So we welcome the recent news that the port of Charleston, which has had a container weighing system for a number of years, is to offer all export shippers a weighbridge service that is likely to cast $25 per box. It is the only US port so far to make such a option available, and one rather hopes others will see sense, and adopt and adapt to the new regime.
Comment on this article