a shippers’ guide -...

SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Requirement

A SHIPPERS’ GUIDE

Version 1: check with local customer service for the latest update of the document

SHIPPERS’ MANUAL version 1 | 2

TABLE OFCONTENT

SOLAS VGM Requirement

Shipper’s responsibility

VGM Methods

VGM Cut-Offs

VGM & Inland

VGM & Process

VGM Submission


The Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Amendment will enter intoforce from 1 July 2016 and will affect all shippers, who arerequired to communicate the verified gross mass of theirpacked containers prior to loading.

The incorrect declaration of container weight is a risk to on-andoffshore personnel, to cargo and to equipment, on land and atsea. It has led to accidents, which the Verified Gross Mass (VGM)requirement aims to reduce.

VERIFIED GROSS MASSA commitment to safety

At Maersk Line we support the commitment to safety and are well prepared to assist our customers in meeting the new global safety requirements. We are committed to making the process as easy as possible.


SOLAS VGM requirement

When will the VGM requirement be enforced?The VGM requirement will be effective from 1 July 2016. Hereafter, carrierssuch as Maersk Line will not be allowed to load a packed container onto theirvessels, unless a VGM has been provided by the shipper.

What is the Verified Gross Mass (VGM)?The verified gross mass is the combined weight of the container tare weightand the weight of all cargo, including packaging and dunnage.

Why implement the VGM?The new regulation was adopted by the IMO (International MaritimeOrganisation) to increase maritime safety and reduce risks facing cargo,containers and all those involved in container transport throughout the supplychain.


Will the VGM be globally enforced?

The new regulation will be enforcedglobally, but countries governmentauthority can issue their own guidelinesbased on the SOLAS requirement. Thismay affect effective date, VGM toleranceallowance etc., which might differ fromcountry to country. At Maersk Line, thelocal requirements will be communicatedthrough our local offices, as soon asinformation is made available.

SOLAS VGM requirement

Under the SOLAS Amendment, Maersk Line is notrequired to verify the VGM provided by the shipper,nor is terminal. However, if the terminal questionsthe declared weight and provides a certified scaledweight for the container, that weight will be used.


VGM impact on shipper

Who will be responsible for the VGM submission?The ‘Shipper’ named on the ocean Bill of Lading is the partyresponsible for providing the VGM to the carrier. A VGM needs to besubmitted for every container being loaded on the vessel, before theload list cut-off. If the VGM is not provided in due time, the containercannot be loaded.

A shipper can authorise a third party to provide the VGM on theirbehalf.

Will the VGM show on the Bill of Lading?No, it will not. The VGM is declared separately from the gross cargoweight entered in the Bill of Lading.

Is VGM applicable to break-bulk shipment?No, break-bulk is exempt from the VGM requirement, unless it istransported in a container.

Does VGM influence pricing in any way?

Pricing is not done based on the VGM.


Method 1

Weighing the fully loaded container after it has been packed and doors closed and sealed.

VGM Process & Methods

What are the methods of weighing the container?

Shippers may use one of two methods to determine theVGM:


VGM & Methods – Hong Kong



Method 1 – Authorized by MD


Marine Department: http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/pub_services/ocean/miss_vgm.html


VGM & Methods – Mainland China



Method 1 – Authorized by NationalMeasures and Regulations


Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China: http://zizhan.mot.gov.cn/zfxxgk/bzsdw/bhsj/201606/t20160606_2040449.html


Method 2

Weighing the content of the container (cargo and any packing materials) and then adding that to the tare weight of the container as indicated on its door.

Container general tare weight will be available on maerskline.com for dry and reefer.

VGM & Methods



http://www.maerskline.com/da-dk/shipping-services/dry-cargo/equipment-and-services/specifications

http://maersklinereefer.com/equipment-services/specifications


VGM & Methods – Hong Kong

o Shipper in Hong Kong shall submit application ofshipper’s registration to MD before adoptingMethod 2, regardless of where packing of thecontainer is completed.

o Shipper outside Hong Kong shall submit applicationof shipper’s registration to MD before adoptingMethod 2 if packing of the container is completed inHong Kong.

Method 2

MD requires a Registration No. at this stage

Registration of Shippers adopting Method 2

情况一情况二（陆路运输）情况三（陆路运输）情况四

付运人香港注册公司香港注册公司非香港注册公司非香港注册公司

集装箱在香港装箱封箱在内地装货封箱在内地装货封箱在香港装箱封箱

方法二使用香港批准程序遵从内地规定的程序遵从内地规定的程序使用香港批准程序

注册需要需要不需要需要

声明香港方式文件香港方式文件内地方式香港方式文件


VGM<=10Tons +/-0.5 ton

VGM > 10Tons +/-5%

About Tolerance

Tolerance of +/-5% and +/-0.5 ton between theverified gross mass declared by the shipper and theverified gross mass obtained by MD, carrier orterminal shall be acceptable for container’s grossmass above 10 tons and 10 tons or belowrespectively.

Hong Kong Tolerance of +/-5% or +/-1.0 ton between the verified

gross mass declared by the shipper and the verifiedgross mass obtained by IMO.

Mainland China

There is no obligation for the carriers and terminals to verify the verified

gross mass unless it is found necessary


• VGM should be received by Maersk Line prior to the cut-off deadline, (Manual VGM submission requires 12 hours manual processing time in system), updated VGM can be view via MyMaerskline portal.

• Maersk Line will provide the cut-off deadline for declaring a VGM at the time of booking via your Booking Confirmation

What is VGM cut-off?

VGM Cut-offsin line with CY cut-off deadline

M/V ETA

Documentation (SI) cut-off deadline

Container Yard (CY) cut-off deadline

ETA-12h(+)

ETA-40h(+)

VGM cut-off deadline


Will containers be accepted at the inland pointwithout a VGM?

VGM & Inland

VGM at inland point will be a local decision, however the VGM will be a mandatory requirementfor loading on the vessel in the first load port.

Containers will be accepted at theinland point without the VGM, but itshould be submitted before load listcut-off.

The recommendation is to submitthe VGM as early as possible.


• Accepted the VGM Amendment , should be submitted to Maersk Line prior to the cut-off deadline;

• No Amendment Fee is applied;

• No VGM Amendment is accepted after cut-off deadline;

Will there be VGM Chasing Process?

VGM & Process

What’s the VGM Amendment Process?

• Maersk Line will chase VGM missing when getting closer to VGM cut-off deadline with ETA-4days, -3days and -2days;


How should shippers submit the VGM?

VGM & Submission

Shippers should preferably provide the VGM for theircontainers at the time of creating the ShippingInstructions (SI).The preferred method for submission of a VGM to MaerskLine is through one of the digital channels.VGM submission via electronic channel will be received andmapped into system instantly.

E-channel One:

Via our website www.maerskline.com and registeror/login through My Maersk Line portal. This solutionwill be available from 5 June 2016.

http://www.maerskline.com/



VGM & Submission

Shippers should preferably provide the VGM for theircontainers at the time of creating the ShippingInstructions (SI). The preferred method for submission of aVGM to Maersk Line is through one of the digital channels.

E-channel Two:

EDI message for customers sending booking orshipping instructions via EDI solutions with MaerskLine.

Customer shall be ready for their system change onsubmitting VGM in the designed field of EDI solution.

Checklist for submitting VGM via EDI solution

• Receive Maersk Line EDI customer advisory

• Reach out Maersk Line local IT for query

• Arrange system change and testing for VGM submission



VGM & Submission

Shippers should preferably provide the VGM for theircontainers at the time of creating the ShippingInstructions (SI). The preferred method for submission of aVGM to Maersk Line is through one of the digital channels.

E-channel Three:

Service portals such as INTTRA, GT Nexus, andCargoSmart

As receiver, Maersk Line has tested all types ofmessage and received successfully.

If VGM is submitted through MyMaerskline portal, EDI or third party portals, a confirmation of the VGM will be sent to the shipper.


VGM & Submission

Manual methods of submission (email and fax) areacceptable but not encouraged.

• The established digital channels will avoiddocumentation errors

• 12-hour of data processing time shall beconsidered when submitting VGM manually

• The name of shipper is required in addition toshipment number, container number and weight.

• Receiver address same as today’s manual SIchannel


VGM & MyMaerskline.com

At this time, Maersk Line do not plan to charge shippers for using our self-service portals, nor will we charge any amendment fee if a shipper amends the VGM.

VGM field in Shipment Binder/Container

tab will always present the VGM updated by MaerskLine regardless VGM submission via any channel.


Several possible outcomes may occur if the VGM is not providedto Maersk Line before cut-off:

If a terminal at the port of loading has adopted the “No VGM, No Gate-in” policy, thecontainer may be denied entry at the gate. Additional costs may incur for the timespent outside the terminal awaiting submission of the VGM.

No container will be loaded on board a vessel without a VGM, resulting in cargodelivery delays. Additionally, potential demurrage and/or detention， change ofvessel charges may apply when a container is sitting idle at the terminal awaiting forVGM submission.

Should a container mistakenly be loaded on a vessel without a VGM, anytranshipment port may refuse to handle the container. Consequently, container maybe subject to delays or be held at the transhipment terminal. Cost and responsibilitywill be on shipper’s account.

Although VGM requirement does not impact barge provider, the export container willbe held at the terminal without loading on board mother vessel, result in additionalcharges to the customer.

Other than cut-off, Terminal facility is

unclear to Maersk Line, neither does terminal

EDI solution. Hence, we recommend shipper submitting VGM to

Maersk Line as earlier as possible prior to VGM

cut-off deadline

VGM Cut-Offs


Need more information? Visit us at our dedicated website for more details

http://www.maerskline.com/da-dk/shipping-services/verfied-gross-mass

http://www.maerskline.com/en-us/shipping-services/verfied-gross-mass





Relevant linksVerified Gross Mass, Maersk Line website: http://www.maerskline.com/da-dk/shipping-services/verfied-gross-mass

Tare weight for dry containers: http://www.maerskline.com/da-dk/shipping-services/dry-cargo/equipment-and-services/specifications

Tare weight for reefer containers: http://maersklinereefer.com/equipment-services/specifications

VGM cut-offs per country: http://www.maerskline.com/da-dk/help/world-factbook

My Maersk Line portal: http://my.maerskline.com/

World Shipping Council: http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/cargo-weight

International Maritime Organisation: http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/SOLAS_CHAPTER_VI_Regulation_2_Paragraphs_4-6.pdf

Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China: http://zizhan.mot.gov.cn/zfxxgk/bzsdw/bhsj/201606/t20160606_2040449.html

Marine Department: http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/pub_services/ocean/miss_vgm.html

http://www.maerskline.com/da-dk/shipping-services/verfied-gross-mass

http://www.maerskline.com/da-dk/shipping-services/dry-cargo/equipment-and-services/specifications

http://maersklinereefer.com/equipment-services/specifications

http://www.maerskline.com/da-dk/help/world-factbook

http://my.maerskline.com/

http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/cargo-weight

http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/SOLAS_CHAPTER_VI_Regulation_2_Paragraphs_4-6.pdf

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