The cargo container shipping industry is scrambling to comply with new international regulations that are about to go into effect.
In less than 90 days, any shipping container leaving from any port in the world will need to have a verified shipping document that is signed either electronically or by hand by the shipper on the bill of lading. This document must include the verified gross mass of the container before it can be loaded onto any ship.
July 1 Deadline
These new rules, which go into effect at ports and harbors around the world on July 1, have been mandated by the International Maritime Organization as part of the global Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention that applies to every nation.
The requirements come in the wake of maritime casualties caused by improperly declared weights, such as the sinking of the MSC Napoli off the southern coast of the UK in 2007 and the partial capsizing of a feeder ship in the Spanish port of Algeciras last June.
Two Ways to Weigh
The new rules require weighing to be done one of two ways — known as Method 1 and Method 2 — and must be done using scales that have been calibrated and certified according to the national standards of the country where the weighing was performed.
Method 1 requires a loaded container to be placed on a weighbridge. The weight of the truck, chassis and fuel are then subtracted to give the weight of the packed container.
Method 2 requires each item to be weighed separately, including the packaging, palleting, dunnage and other packing and security materials. The sum of this weight is then added to the weight of the container to give the total weight of the packed container.
Enforcement Depends on Country
These new rules are designed to help protect the loss of life and property at sea. But enforcement of these international regulations is still a question mark.
Many of the details about regulatory enforcement — such as what happens to a container that arrives at a port without the required documentation — still need to be worked out. In some countries, terminals may choose to hold the container or send it back. But whatever happens, the ship will leave the port without the container that is in noncompliance.
In the US, the Coast Guard will be responsible for enforcing the new rules. In other countries, it will be up to the agency responsible for SOLAS regulations.
Punishments for violating the new rules will vary by country.
‘For More Information …’
On June 1, the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association will sponsor a “One Month to Go” training seminar at its international headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium, to discuss the new law and to answer questions about its application and enforcement.
The ICHCA is an NGO that was involved in the drafting of the new international SOLAS regulation.