APM Terminals to offer container weighing services

FOLLOWING in the footsteps of DP World, APM Terminals has become the latest terminal operator to announce that it is to offer container weighing services at its facilities as rules requiring shippers to provide the verified gross mass of containers draw closer.

News ID: 65055

Date: 12 May 2016 - 13:07

According to MANA ,The terminal operator will provide its supply chain partners with "VGM Generation Services" at 29 locations across its global portfolio, including terminals in Europe, South America, Asia and in the Middle East.
From July 1, as part of amendments to the International Maritime Organization’s Safety of Life at Sea Convention, it will be the shipper’s responsibility to ensure that it provides both the carrier and terminal with the VGM of each laden container due to be loaded onto a vessel in advance of its scheduled departure.
The shipper can either weigh the cargo itself using calibrated and certified equipment before arriving at the terminal, or make use of similar equipment at the port to weigh the container prior to loading by adding the tare weight to that of the empty container.
“Our first priority remains to ensure safe and efficient operations for the supply chain,” APM Terminals head of global operations Jack Craig said in a statement.
“It is crucial that these regulations are met in a way which does not create congestion bottlenecks that ultimately impose additional risk and cost for all stakeholders.”
“Export containers which are received at APMT facilities with a valid VGM will be accepted as per current local operational procedures,” said the terminal operator.
“Those export containers which arrive at APMT facilities without a valid VGM will be generally accepted, but as they are ineligible to load on a vessel, may be segregated and subject to additional re-handling and storage requirements.”
The 29 terminals currently earmarked for container weighing services by APMT may be adjusted subject to market developments