VGM came about as part of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention implemented by the International Maritime Organization of the UN. To protect and safeguard the life of seafarers and prevent accidents, IMO has decided that it is mandatory that shippers declare the VGM of their container as a condition for loading onto the vessel.

In short, verified gross mass (VGM, for short, sometimes referred to as verified gross weight) is the combined weight of an ocean shipment’s cargo, dunnage and bracing (material used to keep cargo in position in a ship’s hold), plus the tare weight of the container.

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) For Shipping

The Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is a fairly new concept introduced in the maritime industry. Container weight verification has now become a global requirement.
A new amendment was brought into force by IMO and introduced in SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) regulation VI/2, adopted by resolution MSC.380(94) which became effective on the 1st of July, 2016 that covers container weight regulations.

According to this new amendment, no container is allowed to be loaded on board the ship unless its Verified Gross Mass has been declared by the shipper to the shipboard personnel and/or to port representatives.

This has been a great initiative by the IMO. The implementation of this rule has helped to improve the safety of ships at sea and benefit shipboard personnel as well as personnel ashore involved in container handling.

What is VGM (Verified Gross Mass)? What is VGM shipping?

Verified gross mass (VGM, for short, sometimes referred to as verified gross weight) is the combined weight of an ocean shipment’s cargo, dunnage and bracing (material used to keep cargo in position in a ship’s hold), plus the tare weight of the container.

What is the verified gross weight requirement?      

As of July As of July 2016   
         

shippers of vessel-bound consignments must provide a VGM prior to shipment.

In regard to AIT customers, if you’re shipping a full container load, you must provide us with the VGM of the container and all of its contents. If you’re shipping less than a container load you must provide the weight of your cargo, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other securing material.

Why do you need to report Verified Gross Mass?

The International Maritime Organization introduced the reporting of VGM in 2016 as part of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (or SOLAS). Reporting the VGM is crucial as incorrect weight declarations have resulted in accidents in the past. Incorrect weight declaration can compromise the safe transport of containers at sea and put the life of seafarers at risk.

By reporting VGM, you are helping carriers to reduce the amount of undeclared weight and have better stability calculations — reducing the potential risks to safe navigation. It also ensures your cargo is handled correctly on its journey!

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Who is responsible for reporting Verified Gross Mass?

The shipper, named in the shipment’s Bill of Lading, is responsible for measuring and reporting the VGM of the container to the carrier and port terminals well in advance of loading on the vessel.

How do you calculate the Verified Gross Mass?

There are two ways to calculate the Verified Gross Mass of your container.

Method 1:

The first method for measuring VGM involves weighing the packed and sealed container with your cargo inside, using a calibrated and certified weighing bridge. These weighing stations can be located at port terminals or outside ports.                          
 
A note on this method is that if the container is weighed along with the road vehicle — which it quite often will be to get the cargo on the bridge, weighed and on the move again — then the weight of the truck and its fuel should be removed from the total weight.

Method 2:

The second method for measuring VGM involves adding the weight of all cargo items and contents of the container (that’s your packing, pallets, securing equipment) to the container’s tare weight (or total weight without contents). It is shown on the container’s safety approval plate (or CSC plate). This is printed on the side of the door of the containers in most cases.

What happens when VGM Is fraudulently or not reported?

For the shipping line stowage planners to plan the specific position of the container within the vessel, it is imperative that accurate VGM figure is provided. Accurate VGM information will prevent collapse of the container. If VGM is not accurate and the container is not stabilized on board, it will slip and in turn cause a snowball effect, causing all other nearby containers to collapse too.

Such an accident will cause damage to the chassis or parts of the vessel, and other container owners might lodge a lost cargo claim on you due to your negligence. Needless to say, there may be potential loss of life if the container hits the seafarer on board or cause the vessel to capsize. All these will impact your company’s revenue and earnings, so it is of utmost importance that VGM is declared accurately and in advance for safe loading onto the vessel.

How do I declare VGM and what is the cut-off time?

Usually, shippers can have two ways to declare VGM with the shipping line that they have contracted for the carriage of the container. First, shippers can send an EDI message to the shipping line with the VGM figure, or secondly, declare via service portals such as GT Nexus and Cargosmart. This might also be done on behalf for by your freight forwarder, so do check with your forwarder’s local office on the detailed procedures.

As a general guidance, the VGM should be received by the shipping line prior to the cargo gate cut-off timing. However, local authorities might have more stringent requirements so it is best to check with your shipping line’s local office. Also, terminals usually have a “No VGM, No Gate-in” policy.

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