The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has amended the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) convention under regulation 2 of chapter VI which mandates the declaration of the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of a packed container before loading on board vessels within a prescribed cut-off date.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international maritime treaty which sets minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment and operation of merchant ships.

Method 1 – Weighing

Loaded container to be weighed at the weighbridge, scale, lifting equipment or any other device that meets the accuracy standards and requirements of the State.

Method 2 – Calculating

All packages loaded into the container to be weighed individually. The weight of the packaging materials such as dunnage, pallets and materials used for securing the cargo in the container to be included.