VGM (Verified Gross Mass)

VGM [Verified Gross Mass]
Ashok Advani
Visiting Professor
IIFT & Jaipuria Institute Of Management, Noida
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Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
Amendments to Regulation 2 of Chapter VI of the SOLAS Convention (1974)
Re: Verified Gross Mass of the Container (VGM)
Effective: 1st July, 2016
Prof. Ashok Advani - Visiting Faculty : IIFT & Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida
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Verified Gross Mass (VGM) The Genesis
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VGM : The Genesis
January 2006: P & O Nedlloyd Genoa: Overweight containers contributed to this incident
“The declared weight of a container provided by the shipper and used for all stow planning and
onboard stability purposes can, if inaccurate, cause major discrepancies between actual and declared
weights. Furthermore, incorrect weight can result in stack overload and the application of excessive
compression and racking forces on containers and their lashings. Although there are no financial gains to
be made by the shipper who declares less than actual weight, the industry acknowledges that over-weight
containers are a problem. However, as yet this has not justified a requirement for compulsory weighing
of containers prior to loading”
(Source: “Report on the investigation of the loss of containers overboard from P&O Nedlloyd Genoa”, U.K. Marine Accident Investigation
Branch, Report 20/2006, August 2006, pages 19, 30 and 31)
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VGM : The Genesis
January 2007: MSC Napoli
“About 660 containers stowed on deck, which had remained dry, were also weighed. The weights of 137
(20%) of these containers were more than 3 Tonnes different from their declared weights. The largest
difference was 20 Tonnes, and the total weight of the 137 containers was 312 Tonnes heavier
than on the cargo manifest.”
(Source: “Report on the investigation of the structural failure of MSC Napoli”, U.K. Marine Accident Investigation Branch, Report 9/208, April
2008, p.28)
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VGM : The Genesis
February 2007: Container ship MV Limari in Damietta
Container stack collapsed due to stack overweight. The master’s incident report to the authorities notes that:
“Excessively heavy units loaded in the upper tiers and that the maximum stack weight had been exceeded
considerably in some rows. The effect of the overweight units was to impose excessive forces on the lashings.
Further, exceeding permissible weight distribution and/or exceeding the maximum stack weight in any
stack, results in overstressed stowage/securing elements and overstressed containers”. The actual
container weights were established by the devices on the gantry crane when lifting and shifting the
collapsed containers. The actual container weights exceeded the declared weights by 362% (Row
08), 393% (Row 06), 407% (Row 04) and 209% (Row 02) in Bay 52 where the collapse occurred.
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VGM : The Genesis
June 28, 2010: Port of Longoni
 While lifting the container, the stacker tilted over damaging the container beyond repair
 Stacker operator was not seriously injured due to cabin safety belt
 Declared cargo gross weight was 16,890 kilograms
 Actual gross weight as established by the harbor weighing bridge after the incident was 30,220
kilograms
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VGM : The Genesis
January 6, 2011: Beira
 While lifting the container, the shore crane stopped and went downwards
 Declared cargo gross weight was 25,000 kilograms
 Actual gross weight was 46,000 kilograms
 Quay crane was out of service for 3 days
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VGM : The Genesis
February 25, 2011: Longshore & Shipping News – ‘Near miss’ at Australia wharf as 28-ton
container falls
“The container that fell 12 meters and narrowly missed two workers was severely overloaded and
the third accident of Feb, 2011 at Darwin Port. Two workers at the Darwin Port had to run to avoid a
shipping container crashing onto East Arm Wharf at the weekend, the Maritime Union of Australia says.
The container was listed as four tones, but the Maritime Union says it weighed 28 Tonnes and
exceeded the crane’s load limit.”
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VGM : The Genesis
May 9, 2011: ABC News Melbourne
An overloaded forklift lies in a container yard in west Melbourne after its load tipped it forward, May 9,
2011.
(Source: ABC News, Melbourne, 10th May, 2011)
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VGM : The Genesis
June 2011: Container ship Deneb in Algeciras
The ship in this picture suffered a significant stability incident. A review after the incident found that out of
the 168 containers on the load list, 16 – or roughly 1 out 10 –containers had actual weights far in excess
of the declared weights. The actual weights exceeded the declared weight in a range from
between 1.9 times as much as the declared weight to as much as 6.7 times the declared
weight. The total, actual weight of these 16 containers was more than 278 tons above their total,
declared weight of about 93 tons or 4 times higher than their declared weight.
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VGM : The Genesis
Problems : Misdeclared Container Weights
 Incorrect vessel stowage decisions

 Re-stowage of containers if overweight condition is ascertained
 Collapsed container stacks
 Containers lost overboard
 Chassis damage
 Damage to ships
 Stability and stress risks for ships
 Risk of injury or death to seafarers and shore-side workers
 Lost revenue and earnings
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Verified Gross Mass (VGM) IMO Guidelines
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VGM : IMO Guidelines
To ensure the safety of the ship, the safety of workers both aboard ships and ashore, the safety of cargo
and overall safety at sea, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as amended,
requires in chapter VI, part A, regulation 2 that packed containers' gross mass are verified prior to
stowage aboard ship. The shipper is responsible for the verification of the gross mass of a container
carrying cargo (hereinafter "a packed container"). The shipper is also responsible for ensuring that the
verified gross mass is communicated in the shipping documents sufficiently in advance to be used by the
ship's master or his representative and the terminal representative in the preparation of the ship stowage
plan. In the absence of the shipper providing the verified gross mass of the packed container, the
container should not be loaded on to the ship unless the master or his representative and the terminal
representative have obtained the verified gross mass through other means.
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Verified Gross Mass (VGM) IMO Definitions
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VGM : IMO Definitions
 Gross Mass: The combined mass of a container's tare mass and the masses of all packages and
cargo items, including pallets, dunnage and other packing material and securing materials packed
into the container
 Package: One or more cargo items that are tied together, packed, wrapped, boxed or parceled for
transportation. Examples of packages include, but are not limited to, parcels, boxes, packets and
cartons
 Packed container: A container, loaded ("stuffed" or "filled") with liquids, gases, solids, packages
and cargo items, including pallets, dunnage, and other packing material and securing materials
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VGM : IMO Definitions
 Packing Material: Any material used or for use with packages and cargo items to prevent
damage, including, but not limited to, crates, packing blocks, drums, cases, boxes, barrels, and
skids. Excluded from the definition is any material within individual sealed packages to protect the
cargo item(s) inside the package.
 Securing Material: All dunnage, lashing and other equipment used to block, brace, and secure
packed cargo items in a container
 Shipper: A legal entity or person named on the bill of lading or sea waybill or equivalent
multimodal transport document (e.g. "through" bill of lading) as shipper and/or who (or in whose
name or on whose behalf) a contract of carriage has been concluded with a shipping company
 Verified Gross Mass: means the total gross mass of a packed container
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Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Main Principles
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VGM : Main Principles
 The responsibility for obtaining and documenting the verified gross mass of a packed container lies
with the shipper
 A container packed with packages and cargo items should not be loaded onto a ship to which the
SOLAS regulations apply unless the master or his representative and the terminal representative
have obtained, in advance of vessel loading, the verified actual gross mass of the container
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Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Weighment Methods
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VGM : Weighment Methods
Method 1
Weighing the fully loaded container after it

has been packed and doors closed and sealed
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VGM : Weighment Methods
Method 2
Weighing the content of the container (cargo

and any packing materials) and then adding
that to the tare weight of the container as
indicated on its door
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VGM : Method I
 Verification of gross mass of the container at location away from port / terminal
[Factory / ICD / CFS / En-route to port – terminal]
 Weighbridge / Weighing appliances used for ascertaining gross mass of container should comply
with requirements
 VGM of container shall be provided by weighbridge / weighing appliances operator in a tamper

proof document to the shipper
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VGM : Method II
 Not suitable for all cargoes
[Scrap, Metal, Bulk cargo etc. – Challenges & Costs]
 Shippers adopting method II for VGM required to have their certified method approved
by DG Shipping. Shippers to comply with:
 Certified method of shipper shall be a part of the Quality Management System (QMS)
complying with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008/2015 standards or as updated from time to
time
 Shipper shall maintain calibrated weighing scales duly certificated by department of legal
metrology
 Responsibility of owner of container to specify correct tare weight on container. Shipper to
verify (if required) and not use same if discrepancy found
 Shipper shall demonstrate the ability to display VGM and other relevant information
(Annexure I)
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Weighbridge / Weighing appliances
 Electronic type
 Calibrated and have valid certificate from department of legal metrology
 Possession of a valid Quality Management System (QMS) certificate confirming compliance

with ISO 2008/2015 standards or updated from time to time
[Within 6 months of notice date – 11.5.2016 / 10.11.2016]
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Weighbridge / Weighing appliances
 Have adequate capacity to weigh loaded container along with trailer / truck / lorry (If required)
 Have tamper proof mechanism preventing tampering with calibration
 Provide information of VGM in tamper proof documents
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VGM : Discussion Points
Who is responsible for the VGM submission?
 The ‘Shipper’ named on the ocean Bill of Lading is the party responsible for providing the VGM to
the carrier
 A VGM needs to be submitted for every container being loaded on the vessel, before the load list
cut-off
 If the VGM is not provided in due time, the container cannot be loaded
 A shipper can authorise a third party to provide the VGM on their behalf
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How will freight forwarders know that the shipper is supplying the right weight?
 The shipper is solely responsible for providing the VGM
 The shipping line and freight forwarder are not responsible for verifying this information
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VGM not submitted to S/Line prior Cut-off : Possible Outcomes
 If a terminal at the port of loading has adopted the “No VGM, No Gate-in” policy, the container may
be denied entry at the gate. Additional costs may incur for the time spent outside the terminal
awaiting submission of the VGM
 Containers will not be loaded on board a vessel without a VGM, resulting in cargo delivery delays.
Additionally, potential demurrage and/or detention charges may apply when a container is sitting
idle at the terminal awaiting for VGM submission
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VGM not submitted to S/Line prior Cut-off : Possible Outcomes
 Should a container mistakenly be loaded on a vessel without a VGM, any transshipment port may
refuse to handle the container. Consequently, the vessel or container may be subject to delays or
be held at the transshipment terminal
 Rail providers indicate that the VGM requirement does not impact rail operations. If a terminal has
a “No VGM, No Gate-in” policy, the export container arriving to this terminal before VGM
submission may result in additional charges to the customer
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Will containers be accepted at an ICD without a VGM?
 VGM at inland point will be a local decision, however the VGM will be a mandatory requirement for
loading on the vessel in the first load port
 Containers may not be accepted at the inland point without the VGM. This would vary from one
S/Line to another
 Factory stuffed containers will not be “Gated In” without a valid VGM
 The recommendation is to submit the VGM as early as possible
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VGM for transshipment containers?
 VGM will be accepted at the original Port of Departure and it will be the carriers’ responsibility to
have the VGM originally received from the shipper transferred to subsequent legs of the
international journey
 Irrespective of number of transshipments en-route
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Transferring of VGM Information : Platforms Used
 There is no global format nor will there be one
[E-comm, GT Nexus, CargoSmart, SMDG VERMAS, INTTRA …………S/Lines individual platforms]
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Permissible Tolerance Limits & Penalties
 Globally: Matters relating to weights and measures dealt by International Organisation of Legal
Metrology
 India: Department of Legal Metrology under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
 Legal Metrology Act, India 2009
 Initial stages: +/- 1,000 Kgs acceptable (between weights obtained at different locations)
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Other Important Points
 If VGM exceeds Max Gross Weight on CSC Plate

[Container not to be loaded on Ship – No tolerance allowed]
 Decision of Master of vessel to accept / reject a container shall be final
 Names of Shipper’s defaulting in declaration of VGM may be displayed on website of DG Shipping
 Instances of misdeclaration of VGM of container to be reported to DG Shipping
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Contact Details
Name: Ashok Advani
Mobile No: +91-9810333002
Whattsapp No: +91-9810333002
E-Mail Id: ashok-20@hotmail.com
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Assertive & Persuasive Communication

VGM (Verified Gross Mass)

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VGM [Verified Gross Mass]

Verified Gross Mass (VGM)

Amendments to Regulation 2 of Chapter VI of the SOLAS Convention (1974)

Re: Verified Gross Mass of the Container (VGM)

Effective: 1st July, 2016

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) The Genesis

VGM : The Genesis

VGM : The Genesis

January 2007: MSC Napoli

VGM : The Genesis

February 2007: Container ship MV Limari in Damietta

VGM : The Genesis

June 28, 2010: Port of Longoni

VGM : The Genesis

January 6, 2011: Beira

VGM : The Genesis

VGM : The Genesis

May 9, 2011: ABC News Melbourne

(Source: ABC News, Melbourne, 10th May, 2011)

VGM : The Genesis

June 2011: Container ship Deneb in Algeciras

VGM : The Genesis

Problems : Misdeclared Container Weights

 Incorrect vessel stowage decisions

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) IMO Guidelines

VGM : IMO Guidelines

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) IMO Definitions

VGM : IMO Definitions

VGM : IMO Definitions

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Main Principles

VGM : Main Principles

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Weighment Methods

VGM : Weighment Methods

Weighing the fully loaded container after it

VGM : Weighment Methods

Weighing the content of the container (cargo

 VGM of container shall be provided by weighbridge / weighing appliances operator in a tamper

 Not suitable for all cargoes

[Scrap, Metal, Bulk cargo etc. – Challenges & Costs]

Verified Gross Mass (VGM)

Weighbridge / Weighing appliances

 Calibrated and have valid certificate from department of legal metrology

 Possession of a valid Quality Management System (QMS) certificate confirming compliance

Verified Gross Mass (VGM)

Weighbridge / Weighing appliances

 Have tamper proof mechanism preventing tampering with calibration

 Provide information of VGM in tamper proof documents

Verified Gross Mass (VGM)

VGM : Discussion Points

Who is responsible for the VGM submission?

VGM : Discussion Points

 The shipper is solely responsible for providing the VGM

VGM : Discussion Points

VGM not submitted to S/Line prior Cut-off : Possible Outcomes

VGM : Discussion Points

VGM not submitted to S/Line prior Cut-off : Possible Outcomes

VGM : Discussion Points

Will containers be accepted at an ICD without a VGM?

 The recommendation is to submit the VGM as early as possible

VGM : Discussion Points

VGM for transshipment containers?

 Irrespective of number of transshipments en-route