Rejrcting Containers Without VGM

HAPAG-Lloyd has become the latest carrier to warn customers that it will not accept containers that do not carry a verified gross mass after new Safety of Life at Sea Convention regulations come into effect on July 1.

News ID: 60491

Date: 21 February 2016 - 16:31

“As from July 1, 2016, the new Solas regulation will become effective; therefore the packed containers’ VGM will be mandatory for all the units to be loaded on board our vessels,” Hapag-Lloyd said in an advisory to customers. “The new regulation entails a change in existing procedures for all stakeholders involved across the shipping industry.”
It added that any packed container for which a verified weight had not been obtained in time would not be loaded on board its vessels.
“Hapag Lloyd’s VGM cut-off will vary from port to port, allowing the flexibility required to align the process with specific country and terminal requirements,” the carrier said.
Hapag-Lloyd said it would implement various system enhancements and services to ensure a seamless interaction in order to simplify the procedure and provide customers with support and assistance.
The local VGM cut-off will be displayed on Hapag-Lloyd’s online schedule and on the shipper’s booking confirmation.
Hapag-Lloyd said submission of VGM could be done through a number of channels, but that the line preferred that shippers used electronic data interchange. It will also accept submissions via its website or via portals such as INTTRA.
“We will only ask you to send our HL shipment number, the container number, the VGM and the duly authorised person’s name as a signature,” Hapag-Lloyd told customers. “No weighing note needs to be submitted.”
Hapag-Lloyd added that safety concerns had always been a high priority and that it had a responsibility to reduce risks to human life and damage to the cargo due to inaccurately declared weights. It called on its customers to become familiar with the regulation in order to be able to make the necessary arrangements as early as possible