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Reasons behind the new SOLAS VGM rules for ocean freight containers

By ussa-login on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - Blog

SOLAS introduced the new regulation about the declaration of the weight of ocean freight with great impact to the industry. Besides the additional administrative cost, there has been a shift in liability to the ocean shipping companies. As much as a change in any well-established process can seem like a burden, USSA has put together the reasons why the new regulation is so important:

Vessel, truck and equipment stability is directly influenced by the weight of the cargo. If the weight of the cargo is under or over declared, the load plan or stowage plan will be unbalanced. A supposedly lighter container could be loaded on a supposedly heavier container and result in stability issues like containers falling over board or the breakup of vessels.

Misdeclared ocean freight container weights can pose a threat to the safety of workers in the industry with disastrous consequences.  Ultimately the potential loss of life, destruction of property and endanger to the environment have driven SOLAS to pass the new regulation.

Many industry participants believe that the rule is long overdue. It places corporate and social responsibility in the right areas and enables ownership of a long standing issue. Major accidents will now be minimized through this implementation and also decrease under declaration for the avoidance of import duties, essentially fraud in ocean shipping.

USSA and its Members comply and support SOLAS in its aim to regulate the industry so that it is safe and secure for all participants. Our business strategy has always been to provide quality efficient management of ocean shipping requirements to all memers. By leveraging off of our industry experts and leading technologies, the transition to a safer and more secure will be managed seamlessly. Contact us today to learn how this will impact you and your business.

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USSA discusses the reasons behind the new rules for Ocean Freight Containers

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