SOLAS Compliance at EgeTrans

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has amended the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) requiring shippers to verify and provide the container's gross verified mass (VGM) to the ocean carrier and port terminal representative before being loaded onto a ship becoming effective on July 1, 2016. In order to implement the requirements we want to provide you with detailed information and pinpoint obligatory steps.

Overview:
1. Background
2. How to determine Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
3. Next steps and to dos
4. Noncompliance

1. Background
As from July 1, 2016, the new SOLAS regulation of the IMO will become effective. Therefore the packed container's VGM will be mandatory for all the units to be loaded onboard. The regulation aims at improving the occupational health and safety of people handling ocean cargo. In the past, considerable discrepancies between declared and actual weight has led to serious accidents.

2. How to determine Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
Basically two methods of determining the VGM are applicable:

Method 1: The loaded and sealed container is weighed.
Method 2: Calculation: Addition of all packages and cargo items − including mass of cargo dunnage, packing and securing material − and tare of container.

EgeTrans will apply both methods for determining the VGM. It is required that the declared weights are stated correctly in the shipping documents. The VGM needs to be transmitted to the ocean carrier timely or the container will not be loaded on the vessel. Please send

- the shipping documents including the VGM (FCL) respectively
- the shipping documents with the weight specifications of all packages (LCL)

to EgeTrans after loading is finished. After receiving and processing the information EgeTrans transmits the VGM via EDI to the carrier.

3. Next steps and to dos
To implement the changes smoothly EgeTrans has arranged all necessary adaptations for daily operational procedures. In order to load your cargo without any delays, we ask for your support:

FCL
For your FCL orders, please fill out, sign and send back the letter of intent to EgeTrans. As of July 1, 2016 this document is required prior to your booking. Please understand that we can not guarantee the usual order fulfillment without this document. For transmitting the VGM please use, as of now the VGM form. Please send the documents per e-mail (scan) or fax to your EgeTrans contact. The documents are available here.

LCL
For your LCL orders we consider the weight specifications provided in your shipping documents as accurate and correct and will use them as calculation basis if the VGM is transmitted via method 2.

If you should have any questions your EgeTrans contact will be at your assistance.

4. Noncompliance
Containers will not be loaded without having declared the VGM: No VGM − no load.

If the VGM is declared incorrectly or belatedly to EgeTrans and additional charges arise (e.g. for amendments of the stowage planning, container stowage cost or weighing costs) − these additional charges are for the account of the goods and have to be accepted by the sender/supplier/shipper.

Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Your EgeTrans Team