Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Changes
Why the changes?
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its ninety-fourth session, adopted amendments to SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulation VI/2 (see resolution MSC.380 (94)) to require the mandatory verification of the gross weight of packed containers.
The aforementioned SOLAS amendments introduced two main new requirements:
The shipper is responsible for providing the verified weight by stating it in the shipping document and submitting it to the master or his representative and to the terminal representative sufficiently in advance to be used in the preparation of the ship stowage plan; and the verified gross weight is a condition for loading a packed container onto a ship.
The verification of the gross weight can be achieved by either of two methods:
Method 1: weighing the packed container; or
Method 2: weighing all packages and cargo items, including the weight of pallets, dunnage and other securing material to be packed in the container and adding the tare weight of the container to the sum of the single weights, using a certified method approved by the competent authority of the State in which packing of the container was completed.
The amendments to SOLAS regulation VI/2 were accepted on 1 January 2016 and will enter into force on 1 July 2016.
More details on the VGM changes can be found at Here
How can I report the VGM?
In Australia, PRA's are an accepted standard export shipping documentation to the terminal representative. Thus, reporting the VGM to the terminal representative is to be done through the PRA.
When do I need to start including VGM Information?
As of the 22nd of June all PRAs will need to include the VGM information.
How has Exportnet Changed?
New Fields in Exportnet
Additional fields have been added to both the PRA and the 'Container' section under the EDN so that you can add the additional information required to meet the changes in SOLAS. The additional fields are;
- Verified Gross Weight for all non-empty container in KG
- Weight calculation method
- Date of verification
- Name of Declarant
- Company Name of the Declarant
- Phone or email of the Declarant.
Default Declarant in Exportnet
If you typically use the same declarant (packer) to pack your containers you can create a default so that some of the fields are completed for you. To do this;
Click on the Registration Menu
Click on Edit
Add the default declarant and Save
Manual Schedule Tickbox
Only select the manual schedule tickbox within the PRA form if you are unable to find the correct vessel schedule using the drop down menu. For all terminals except Adelaide the correct schedule should appear in the drop down list.
