This document provides information about container weight verification requirements under SOLAS for shippers. It discusses that shippers are responsible for verifying the gross mass of containers before loading using either method 1 (physical weighing) or method 2 (calculating weights). Method 2 requires approval and certification. The key points are that shippers must communicate the verified gross weight to carriers in shipping documents, penalties exist for noncompliance, and SAMSA oversees enforcement including potential suspension of shipper approvals for misdeclared weights.

1. We simplify complexity and turn compliance into competitiveness
Training on SOLAS container weight
verification requirements and Risk
Management

2. We simplify complexity and turn compliance into competitiveness

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The consequences of unverified gross mass

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The Shipper is responsible for VGM
Shipper - means a legal entity or person named on the bill of lading or sea waybill or equivalent
multimodal transport document (e.g. "through" bill of lading) as shipper and/or who (or in whose name
or on whose behalf) a contract of carriage has been concluded with a shipping company.
According to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) chapter VI, Part A,
Regulation 2 “Prior to loading cargo units on board ships, the shipper shall ensure that the gross mass
of such units is in accordance with the VGM (verified gross mass) declared on the shipping documents”
Exporters, consignors, consolidators, NVOCC (Non Vessel Owning Common Carrier), co-loaders, etc.
that conform to the definition of SHIPPER require VGM certification
Consignor - The party who prepares a consignment for transport. If the consignor contracts the
transport operation with the carrier, the consignor will undertake the function of the shipper and may
also be known as the shipper.
Packer - The party that loads, places or fills the cargo within or on the CTU; the packer may be
contracted either by the consignor, by the shipper, by the freight forwarder or by the carrier; if the
consignor or the shipper packs a CTU within his own premises, the consignor or the shipper is also the
packer.
Transnet Port Terminals – Containers must be weighed at source. TPT will have no involvement in the weighing of containers. TPT
equipment is used for safety purposes. The VGM must be verified at source – not in transit and not at the port itself. TPT is also busy with
upgrades to their EDI system and is pursuing a SOLAS compliant NAVIS system. Source: Zeph Ndlovu (GM of TPT) - FTW 18.03.2016 –
No. 2190

5. We simplify complexity and turn compliance into competitiveness
Three essential steps for shipper requiring approval and
certification for method 2 (VGM)

6. We simplify complexity and turn compliance into competitiveness
Method 1 – physical weighing of the packed
and sealed container using a weigh bridge,
equipment (such as forklifts) equipped with
weighing devices, container scales, etc. This
method does not require approval and
certification.
Method 2 – calculation method: weighing all
the packages and cargo items including mass of
pallets, dunnage and other packing and securing
materials to be packed in the container and add
the tare mass of the container to the sum of the
single masses. This method requires
approval and certification by SAMSA 3rd
Party.
Methods for weighing containers

7. We simplify complexity and turn compliance into competitiveness
VERIFIED GROSS MASS : METHOD 2 CALCULATION

8. We simplify complexity and turn compliance into competitiveness
Documentation
 The SOLAS regulations require the shipper to verify
the gross mass of the packed container using
Method No. 1 or Method No. 2 and to
communicate the verified gross mass in a shipping
document.
 This document can be part of the shipping
instructions to the shipping company or a separate
communication e.g. a declaration including a weight
certificate produced by a weigh station utilizing
verified and certified equipment en route between
the shipper’s origin and the port terminal.
 In either case the document should clearly highlight
that the gross mass provided is the “verified gross
mass”.
 Irrespective of its form, the document declaring the
verified gross mass of the packed container should
be signed by the person duly authorised by the
shipper.
 The signature may be an electronic signature or
may be replaced by the name in capitals of the
person authorised to sign it.
Information
 The shipper, or their legal
agency representative, is
responsible for providing a
“verified gross mass” to the
carrier, regardless of who
actually packs the container.
 How this is achieved will be
for the relevant parties in the
supply chain involved in
moving goods to determine.
 SOLAS requires that the
information is submitted
efficiently in advance to be
used in the preparation of the
ship’s stowage plan. It is
essential that the verified
gross mass is obtained before
the container is physically
loaded on to a ship.

9. We simplify complexity and turn compliance into competitiveness
the Company 3rd Party
the Company
Customs Broker
NAVIS
Shipping Line
Transnet

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Whether you use a weigh bridge (method 1) or
platform scale (method 2) the following
conditions must be met: -
1. the scale must be type approved.
2. the scale must be regularly verified according to legislation.
3. the verification company must be accredited by SANAS,
4. the verification company must be certified by NRCS,
5. the officer performing the calibration must possess a
certificate of competence.
6. the company must have a maintenance plan for the scale
7. personnel using the scale at the company must be trained to
use the scale (i.e. training register must be maintained).

13. We simplify complexity and turn compliance into competitiveness
FAULTY –
DO NOT
USE

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Verification of weighing equipment

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 The CTU must not be overloaded
 Load must be properly distributed
 cargo must be properly supported
 cargo must be secured
 void spaces must be filled.
 Pictures must be taken during and on completion of
packing
Door must be properly door and must enable opening
without the contents falling out of the CTU.

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Enforcement and Penalties for Non Compliance
Enforcement
SAMSA will enforce the amended SOLAS requirements and
Merchant Shipping Carriage of Cargo
Regulations through:
 Port State Control Inspections
 Ad hoc inspections
 Continuous auditing of SAMSA appointed third parties
 Reporting of non-conforming containers and/or cargo
information by third parties
Penalties
A person who commits an offence in
terms of these regulations is liable on
conviction to a fine or to
imprisonment for a period not
exceeding 12 months.

19. We simplify complexity and turn compliance into competitiveness
If SAMSA or one of the appointed third parties identifies that a
shipper has mis-declared the gross mass of a packed container,
SAMSA may:
Require that the SAMSA appointed third party, suspend or
revoke the shipper’s approval. It will then be necessary for the
shipper to use Method 1 to verify the gross mass of a packed
container.
Require an Admission of Contravention to be signed and paid,
failing which, the alleged contravention will be prosecuted.

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Thank you for listening.
Are there any questions?