Subject: Modification of SOLAS Convention: Verification of the packed container’s weight, effective from July 1, 2016
Dear Customer,
We want to inform you that The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has amended the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) to require that each container has a verified weight as a condition for loading a packed container onto a ship for export. This requirement will become legally effective on July 1, 2016. After that date, it will be a violation of SOLAS to load a packed container onto a vessel without a verified container weight.
The shipper is responsible for the verification of the packed container’s weight. It will not be acceptable to communicate an appraised weight. The exporter will be obliged to assess the weight by means of a calibrated scale being certified in accordance with the standards defined by the law in each country.
In case of a discrepancy between the declared weight and the verified one at the port of export, the container will not be embarked and the consequent charges will be for the account of the exporter.
Regardless of the fact that we are near July 1st, most of the nations have not issued official guidelines yet (such as the type of scale, acceptable tolerance levels, etc.). We are monitoring the development of the situation and will keep you informed as soon as we know the official guidelines that will affect your business operations.
For additional information please refer to the website of the World Shipping Council:
http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/cargo-weight
Best Regards,
ALBINI & PITIGLIANI S.p.A