News
Most of International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states are not ready for Safety of Life at Sea Convention's Verified Gross Mass (SOLAS VGM) requirements which will go into effect on July 1, 2016, According to CargoSmart.
CargoSmart ran a survey for customers in February and March. Only 11 of the 171 member countries of the IMO have published guidelines. 820 people responded and almost all of the respondents did not yet have a plan in place for how to comply. 36% of the respondent had not yet started planning, 20% were not aware of the new requirements, and 20% were in the discussion stage with several parties. Only 4% of respondents had a solution in place.
In terms of how to submit the VGM to ocean carriers, nearly 60% preferred to send the VGM to their carriers through the shipping instructions. And, more than two-thirds indicated that the extra process to provide the VGM will be the biggest challenge to comply.
