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ARTICLE · 22 JUNE 2016

Weigh Now Or Weight Later: New Cargo Container Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Rules Effective July 1, 2016

McInnes Cooper
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The new rules are intended to ensure accurate container weights are available through the supply chain to reduce the risk of container stack collapses and vessel instability caused or contributed to by inaccurately declared container weights.

CanadaTransport
Daniel Watt
Daniel Watt

On July 1, 2016, new rules for weighing packed cargo containers under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Chapter VI, Regulation 2, will come into force globally, including in Canada under the Cargo, Fumigation and Tackle Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. The new rules are intended to ensure accurate container weights are available through the supply chain to reduce the risk of container stack collapses and vessel instability caused or contributed to by inaccurately declared container weights. The new rules require shippers to calculate the total gross mass of a  packed container (the “verified gross mass” or “VGM”), and to provide the VGM to carriers and terminal operators in a signed shipping document before the container can be loaded on a ship.

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