Member Article

Amendment to SOLAS legislation will change Seafreight globally

Europa Air & Sea, a dedicated division of innovative logistics operator, Europa Worldwide Group, is warning new legislation coming into effect on 1 July 2016 will put compliance across the whole supply chain under the spotlight.

Amendments to SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) Regulation are set to be enforced by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Legally, it will now become the shipper’s responsibility to provide a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for a loaded container before it’s allowed to board the vessel by using one of two approved methods.

Angus Hind, Director of Europa Air and Sea, said: “Compliance will be at the heart of this change in legislation. Non-compliance will create a host of problems where terminals adopt a ‘no VGM-no load’ policy; not least possible financial penalties by way of demurrage costs and delays in shipment.

“Europa is working to ensure customers and their suppliers are fully aware of the new implications from the offset. While it has been suggested by the MCA (Marine & Coastguard Agency) that there will be a certain amount of leniency in the first few months, it’s critical shippers, freight forwarders, vessel and terminal operators work together to ensure all processes are watertight to ensure VGM compliance.”

The two largest ports in the UK, Felixstowe and Southampton, have recently announced they will be offering a weighbridge service for a nominal fee per container. “These announcements will come as a relief to many shippers and forwarders, who are now waiting for hear news from the smaller and regional feeder ports too,” added Angus.

There is a word of warning concerning the lack of a standardised form for shippers to apply for VGM approval via the MCA. “There is mounting concern as to whether applications will be processed, and approvals in place prior to 1st July as there is not a one-size-fits-all application form for a shipper calculating VGM using Method 2. The fact that different countries are likely to have different approaches when applying the changes in legislation is adding to the complexity of the amended SOLAS legislation.”

Europa is a member of the FETA Freight Systems International Network (FFSI), a global agent network of companies offering the full spectrum of transport services.

As well as its successful air & sea division, Europa Worldwide Group also provides specialist road, warehouse and showfreight services.

www.europa-worldwide.com

@europaworldwide

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kathryn Greenwood .