News
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan recently unveiled a guideline for the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea’s Verified Gross Mass (SOLAS VGM) requirements, which are scheduled to take effect on July 1.
The new system will require a shipper—which is a “shipper” described on a master bill of lading (B/L) issued by a shipping company—to determine the overall weight of containerized shipments either by measuring them with a dedicated instrument or by adding the weight of commodities, packing materials and others to that of empty containers, and to submit it either to a ship master or a container yard (CY) manager. Shippers will also need to register themselves with the MLIT minister if determining container weights by themselves. When third parties (e.g., sworn measurers, port transporters and forwarders) determine weights on behalf of shippers, meanwhile, they will need to register themselves with the same minister.
For details, access to http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001129801.pdf
