Following comes from ICHCA; a very intersting statement/info:
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Dear Sir,
In light of recent confusion around the IMO’s perceived ‘grace period’, ICHCA would like to share with you an Information paper which will provide clarity on the impending VGM regulations.
Due to concerns expressed at the 96th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (11th to 20th May 2016) during plenary debate and a discussion and presentation group outside the main meeting led by ICHCA, IMO issued a circular letter.
The content of the Circular Letter, is self-explanatory, however some respondents are of the mistaken belief that this means the SOLAS Amendment itself has been deferred for three months until October 1st 2016.
This is not true, all the Circular calls for is a “practical and pragmatic” approach to be taken with reference to transhipment cargoes and that actual procedures for “documenting, communicating and sharing VGM information”. It is still a requirement to obtain the VGM for the packed container either using Method 1 or Method 2 from July 1st 2016.
You can view the full document here
As well as this, ICHCA has worked in collaboration with the World Shipping Council (WSC), the TT Club, and the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) to jointly released a second Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document designed to support the smooth implementation of the container weighing regulations that take effect globally on 1 July 2016. The amendments to SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) require packed shipping containers to have a verified gross mass (VGM) before they can be loaded on a ship for export.
You can view the updated FAQs document here
Kind Regards,
ICHCA International
About ICHCA International
Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its ISP Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.
Operating through a series of national and regional chapters – including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and ICHCA Canarias/Africa (CARC) – plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.
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