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With less than 2 months until the SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) regulations come into force, APM Terminals is taking the lead to ensure a smooth transition into the new regulatory environment. Under international law, from 1st July shippers are required to provide a VGM for every container before it can be loaded with the shipping line.
Initially, APM Terminals will provide VGM Generation Services to supply chain partners at 29 locations globally. This includes the following sites in the Middle East and Subcontinent: Aqaba, Jordan; Mumbai, India; Bahrain; Pipavav, India, and Port Said, Egypt.
Compliance with the new rules can be accomplished by either weighing the loaded container with calibrated and certified equipment, or weighing the cargo prior to loading and adding it to the tare weight of the empty container. The purpose of the VGM regulations is to assure the safety of the vessel, as well as dockworkers and other cargo handlers, by preventing overweight or otherwise misrepresented containers from jeopardising shipments or container movements.
“Our first priority remains to ensure safe and efficient operations for the supply chain,” states APM Terminals’ head of global operations, Jack Craig,” 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.”
APM Terminals is in dialogue with local regulatory authorities who are providing increasing clarity on national rules governing how to ensure compliance. APM Terminals is planning to provide VGM Data Management capabilities in most facilities, through accepting EDI transmissions of VGM information into terminal operating systems from the shipping lines prior to vessel load planning.
Export containers which are received at APM Terminal facilities with a valid VGM will be accepted in line with current local operational procedures. Those export containers which arrive at APM Terminal 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.
