The International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires shippers to declare the gross weight of containers before they are loaded on board a vessel. This is done to enhance the safety of the vessel and cargo, loading and unloading personnel, and overall maritime safety.
These requirements are based on the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which has been adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and will be incorporated into the national legislation of all countries worldwide.
What is the Verified Gross Mass of a container?
- The shipper weighs the packed container after loading has been completed and the container has been sealed, using calibrated and certified weighing equipment.
- The shipper uses calibrated and certified weighing equipment to weigh all contents of the container, including (but not limited to) cargo, pallets, packaging, and dunnage. The tare weight of the container is then added to this total.
When is it required to declare the Verified Gross Mass of a container?
This is always required. A container will not be loaded onto a vessel unless the carrier and the port of loading, or their representative, have been notified of the container’s Verified Gross Mass (VGM) with sufficient advance notice.
Who is responsible for declaring the Verified Gross Mass?
The shipper is always responsible for verifying and declaring the gross mass of containers, regardless of who the carrier is.
What happens if shippers do not declare the gross weight of containers?
- If shippers do not submit the gross weight of containers, a fee of ISK 11,194 will be charged.
- If shippers do not submit the gross weight of breakbulk cargo, a fee of ISK 1,150 per pallet will be charged.
VGM submission deadlines:
VGM (Verified Gross Mass) must be submitted no later than Wednesdays at 06:00.
This applies to shipments from Reykjavík booked on Helgafell and Arnarfell.
VGM (Verified Gross Mass) must be submitted no later than Wednesdays at 06:00.
This applies to shipments from Reykjavík booked on Skaftafell and Hoffell.
Enter information on the Samskip Service Web
On Samskip’s Service Web , it is easy to enter VGM (Verified Gross Mass) for a sea freight booking, either from the overview page or within an individual booking. If VGM information has not been submitted, a note will appear next to the shipment. See the VGM form above.
Actions:
- When clicking the action button for a booking, an option to “Register VGM” appears, which opens a dedicated window for entry.
- For FCL bookings, the container weight must be entered along with a signature and the weighing slip number.
- For LCL bookings, less information is required than for FCL; however, the total weight, signature, and weighing slip number must always be entered.
- Within an individual booking, there is also an option to enter VGM. By clicking “Register VGM”, the same entry windows will open as from the booking overview.
If you need further information, please feel free to contact us via the live chat in the bottom-right corner or reach out to your Samskip contact.
