News 31 May, 2016 SOLAS - Verified Gross Mass of Packed Containers In November 2014 the IMO Maritime Safety Committee adopted Resolution MSC 380(94) - Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as Amended, which added new paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 to SOLAS Regulations VI/2, requiring the gross mass of packed containers to be verified and declared prior to loading. This SOLAS amendment enters into force on 1 st July 2016. The new regulations apply to all packed containers being loaded on vessels, except those on a chassis or trailer being driven onboard a ro-ro vessel engaged in short international voyages. Shippers are required to verify the weight of every packed container either by means of weighing the packed container using calibrated and certified equipment, or by weighing each individual item of cargo, as well as all dunnage, pallets and securing materials, and adding all these masses to the tare mass of the container to give a total gross mass. The latter weighing arrangement is to be a certified method approved by the competent authority of the State in which the packing was completed. Although dependant on individual State requirements, as part of the approval process the whole operation, including weighing method, calibration procedures for equipment, and training of personnel may be scrutinised, and could include a documentary review as well as an audit of the actual systems and processes. The Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of each packed container is to be stated in the shipping documents, which must be signed by a person duly authorised by the shipper. The shipping documents must be submitted to the Master or his representative, as well as to the terminal representative, sufficiently in advance of loading, as may be required by the Master or his representative, so that the masses can be used in the preparation of the stowage plan. The shipping documents may be submitted using approved electronic methods, and the signa