As you may be aware, amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), to which 162 states including Canada are parties, are coming into effect on 1 July 2016. These changes, implemented into Canadian law, impose on all shippers of containers the obligation to obtain and provide a “Verified Gross Mass??? (VGM) for every loaded container tendered to ocean carriers in advance of loading.
Beginning 1 July 2016, carriers in Canada and around the world will be obligated to refuse loading of any container that does not have a VGM in compliance with SOLAS and the implementing regulations under the Canada Shipping Act. Shippers that are non-compliant with the VGM reporting rules are liable for any costs that may result from failure or delay in providing VGM, including storage, demurrage, container weighing and rerouting costs, and commercial costs of delay, as well as for possible fines or penalties imposed by Transport Canada, carriers or terminals.
Please find out how to ensure containers are not refused by following these guideline.