Guidance for operators affected by container weight changes starting today (1 July) has been published, as the sector comes to terms with one of its biggest challenges in recent times.

Amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) Convention means shippers become responsible for ensuring export containers have a verified gross mass before they are loaded onto ships.

Most ports are offering a weighing service, although hauliers have warned it could result in crippling queues.

The Global Shippers’ Forum, the TT Club, the World Shipping Council and others have now formed a broad industry coalition to provide a batch of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for concerned stakeholders about how the process will work.

The FAQs explain in more detail how the SOLAS container verified gross mass requirements should be fulfilled and also give information regarding the two methods that may be used to obtain the verified gross mass of a packed container.

David Huck, Liverpool Port director, said: “This is arguably the biggest challenge to face the container shipping industry and the right approach for cargo owners and shipping lines remains a hotly disputed topic even this close to the deadline.

“While ports have no obligation under the regulations we have chosen to invest significantly in a solution to support the entire logistics community, which will help to reduce costs, risks and delays for our customers.”

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