Weight of Containers Needs to be Verified - Effective 1st July 2016
What are the changes effective July 1st 2016?
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (Chapter VI, part A, regulation 2), that requires packed containers’ gross mass to be verified prior to stowage aboard ship. These changes have become applicable under Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Law as a member of the IMO.
As from July 1st 2016 this regulation, prohibits loading of a packed container which does not have proof of verified gross mass (VGM) and applies to all packed containers which are to be loaded onto a vessel.
What do you need to do effective July 1st 2016?
The responsibility for obtaining and providing the verified gross mass lies with the shipper/packer of the container. The VGM details need to be provided to the shipping line sufficiently in advance of vessel loading and must be provided at the time of lodging the Pre Receival Advice (PRA) which is processed before the container can arrive at the terminal.
In order for us to declare the VGM on your behalf when lodging the PRA, we will require a declaration from the shipper confirming the following;
- VGM of each container
- VGM is the weight of all packages and cargo items, including the weight of pallets, dunnage and other securing material to be packed in the container PLUS the tare weight of the container
- How the VGM was calculated
- Further details follow on the available methods of calculation
- Who is declaring the VGM
- The VGM must be declared by a duly authorised person
How to determine the VGM?
The SOLAS regulations prescribes two methods by which the shipper may obtain the verified gross mass of a packed container.
- The shipper may weigh the packed and sealed container using calibrated and certified equipment
- SILA Can arrange to weigh the packed container via a service which utilises mobile weighing equipment at your premise prior to collection
- Alternatively, the container can be weighed at a public weigh station on route to terminal
Please advise SILA if you wish to utilise either of the above methods and we can provide the costs to you
- The shipper may add the weight of each package stuffed in the container, add the packing and securing material and add the tare weight of the utilized container. Weight obtained using this method must be from the use of calibrated and certified weighing equipment.
An estimation of weight is absolutely NOT permitted.
How can you submit the VGM?
You may advise the VGM on the Forwarding instruction, commercial invoice, Packing List or a VGM Document (SILA can provide one you can use).
Whichever way you provide the VGM it must be containing the following critical information;
- Verified Gross Weight for all non-empty container
- Method of Weight calculation
- Date of verification
- Name of Declarant
- Company name of the Declarant
- Phone or email of the Declarant.
What happens if your VGM is not submitted?
A packed container, for which the verified gross mass has not been obtained will not be loaded on the vessel. Loading of a packed container without VGM to a vessel is an offence against an existing SOLAS regulation. This will result in the container being held.
Where to get further information? Information on the legislation can be found on the following websites: http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/cargo-weight
https://shippingaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/VGM_Factsheet_WEB.pdf
https://www.1-stop.biz/news/the-vgm-and-what-it-means-for-you/
SinoTrans Ranked Third World's Largest Ocean Freight Forwarder
Dear Valued Clients,
We are pleased to announce that SinoTrans Ltd has been ranked as the third largest ocean freight forwarder in the world handling the equivalent of 2,790,400 TEU last year according to Transport Topics 2015.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for all your freight forwarding needs and enquiries on sales@sila.net.au.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Further MUA Action
Dear Clients,
We wish to advise you that late yesterday evening the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) issued notice of intent to take Protected Industrial Action lasting 48 hours at the Patrick East Swanson Terminal in Melbourne beginning next Thursday April 21 at 07.00am and ending 07.00am Saturday April 23. This latest notice is in addition to the protected action occurring this week at the Sydney Autostrad Terminal and next week at Brisbane Autostrad Terminal.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further information.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Patrick Update: Container Terminals' Protected Industrial Action - Brisbane
Dear All,
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) have issued notice of intent to take Protected Industrial Action lasting 48 hours at Patricks Brisbane Autostrad Terminal, beginning next Tuesday April 19 at 07.00 am and ending 07.00am Thursday April 21. This latest notice is in addition to the protected action occurring this week at the Sydney Autostrad Terminal.
Below are details of those notified stoppages:
Sydney Autostrad Terminal
• 48-hour strike, beginning 06.00 hrs Wednesday April 13 to 06.00 hrs Friday April 15.
Brisbane Autostrad Terminal
• 48-hour strike, beginning 07.00 hrs Tuesday April 19 to 07.00 hrs Thursday April 21.
Please monitor your vessel cut off and availabilities closely during this period to avoid any delays and additional costs incurred.
If you have any questions or enquiries, please do not hesistate to contact the SILA Customer Service Team.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
MUA Action Port Botany
Dear All,
Please see below notification received regarding MUA action at Port Botany next week, MUA action will also occur at Patrick Fremantle Facility as well.
We will keep you informed should this effect your shipment.
“Late Tuesday afternoon the Maritime Union of Australia provided notice it would engage in a 48-hour strike at the Sydney AutoStrad Terminal beginning next Wednesday April 13th at 06:00hrs and ending 06:00hrs Friday April 15th.
This means all road operations at Port Botany will also be out of action for the duration of the strike. We are extremely disappointed at the MUA‘s decision to issue another strike in Port Botany, an action we consider to be entirely unwarranted.
However we remain committed to continuing negotiations that achieves an outcome on our Enterprise Agreement that is sustainable for our business, our employees and customers.
We understand the impact that these disruptions are having on your business but assure you we are doing everything we can to resolve all outstanding issues as quickly as possible.”
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
PFL Apia Port Evacuated Due To Fire
Dear Clients,
We have received the following message from our friends at Neptune Pacific / PFL in Apia.
Subject: Apia port evacuated due to fire
There has been an explosion in Apia port. First indications are that a fuel tank on wharf has exploded. Emergency services are doing the best to contain the fire.
PFL offices and container park have been evacuated as have a good part of down town Apia.
This is a very serious situation. We believe that all PFL agency and operational personnel have been accounted for and are safe. The offices and container park are closed until further notice.
Please do not try to contact the Apia office at this time. We will keep you advised.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Customs Compliance Update
Hello Everyone,
The Australian Border Force recently published the latest Goods Compliance Update. It can be read here and we would recommend viewing it for an insight into the Border Force areas of compliance focus for 2016.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further questions.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
Anna Farah - Maternity Leave From 4/4/2016
Dear Clients,
Please be advised Anna Farah from our Sydney office will be going on maternity leave as of the 4th April 2016.
For all new shipment bookings can you please send through to Ana Viskovic in cc to this mail ana.v@sila.net.au. She will take over Anna duties as of Monday 21st March 2016. Please also cc Anna Farah until she leaves on the 4th April 2016.
If you have an questions or issues, please do not hesistate to contact Jason, Grace or Mia from the SILA Team.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Our New Bank Details - From HSBC to ANZ
Dear Clients,
SILA is moving from HSBC to ANZ for all its banking needs. The new bank account details are as follows:
AUD:
BSB: 014-015
Acc: 221947337
USD:
Account: 522904USD00001
RMB:
Account: 522904CNY00001
We will be implementing this change this week so can you please ensure that these bank detail changes are reflected on your accounts as soon as possible to avoid any payment delays.
As always, if you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
SOLAS Regulations on Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
Dear Clients,
In accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Circular MSC. 1/Circ. 1475, From 1 July 2016 all full containers being loaded onto a vessel must have made a declaration of Verified Gross Mass (VGM) in advance. We would like to draw your attention to THIS informative Fact Sheet released by Shipping Australia in regards to Container Weight Verification.
This fact sheet has a focus on how Australian Exporters will deliver our VGM via the Pre Receival Advice (PRA) Portal however declaration of VGM will apply to containers globally and we encourage you to raise this issue with any suppliers or business partners and ensure they are beginning preparations for compliance.
As always, if you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service