FIATA Still All at Sea on Container Weight

THE International Federation of Freight Forwarders' Associations (FIATA) has called for enhanced communication from  container  shipping lines ahead of the deadline by which new IMO regulations requiring verification of a freight container’s gross mass become mandatory.

The non-governmental organisation, which represents an industry covering approximately 40,000 forwarding and logistics companies is calling on shipping lines to provide greater clarity on how they wish to receive the  data concerning the Verified Gross Mass of  a container when the amendment to SOLAS becomes effective on 1st July 2016.

At a recent meeting in Cape Town, the FIATA Working Group Sea Transport joined with South African  fruit  exporters  and   the   South  African  Association  of  Freight  Forwarders  (SAAFF) in  a work-shop to examine the changes to SOLAS and the effect on the supply chain.

Among the difficulties anticipated  in July, all present were concerned at the lack of information being provided by the shipping lines on how they wish to receive the VGM data.

Working Group Chairman, Jens Roemer, said: “It is clear from FIATA Member feedback that many countries are getting prepared for the forthcoming changes but there is an alarming lack of information from the shipping lines on how they will receive the VGM. FIATA urges shipping lines to communicate with the trade so that preparations for July 1st can be finalised.”