Safety is paramount in the shipping industry. Every vessel must be safe and stable before it sets sail, and one of the most important aspects of this is the accuracy of the weight of its containers. This is known as Verified Gross Mass (VGM). As an experienced global freight forwarder, the Emerald Freight team understands the importance of VGM. This article will look at everything that you need to know.

What is verified gross mass (VGM)?

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is the total weight of a packed container. This includes all the cargo, the packing materials (which is known as dunnage), and the weight of the empty container (known as the tare weight). The VGM is a mandatory requirement under international maritime regulations.

Why is VGM required?

These regulations are designed to prevent accidents that are related to the misdeclaration of container weights. This is due to vessel instability and potential container stack collapses. All shippers are legally required to provide accurate VGM before a container can be loaded onto a vessel. This is part of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which was introduced by The International Maritime Organization in 2016.

The inaccurate reporting of weight has resulted in accidents in the past. It is understandable when you consider that an average vessel carries between 10,000 and 21,000 containers. One container with the incorrect VGM won’t make a difference to safety, but if there are no strict parameters, there could be many containers that are inaccurately reported and can have a negative impact on the stability of cargo on board.

Clear reporting of VGM helps carriers to reduce the amount of undeclared weight. In turn, this means that there are more accurate calculations for the stability of the vessel. This helps not only with the safety and stability on board but also how cargo is handled before and after the journey.

Last, containers that do not have accurate VGM cannot be legally loaded onto vessels. Accurate reporting and documentation safeguard against delays in shipments.

How is VGM determined?

An experienced freight forwarder understands how to accurately determine a container’s Verified Gross Mass (VGM). There are two methods that are mainly used to calculate VGM:

Weighing the packed container

Using a calibrated and certified weighing bridge, a packed container that is full of your cargo inside should be weighed. This weighing equipment can be found at weighing stations that are located at port terminals or just outside of the loading port. This is the easiest method to ensure that the recorded weight includes the container’s weight and all contents that are being shipped.

Calculating the total weight

The alternative to this is that the shipper can weigh every individual item and cargo, including any packing materials. This is then added to the tare weight of the container the goods are to be shipped in. You can find the tare weight on the safety approval or CSC plate. This method is used in cases of special cargo items or any instance where it is difficult to weigh the fully packed container.

Both of these methods are commonly used, but either way it is vital that the accuracy of the weight is measured and recorded to meet regulations and standards.

What are the requirements and regulations related to VGM?

There are several regulations and requirements that are expected with the VGM. Alongside this there are accepted methods for determining accurate VGM, which must be met.

International organisations

VGM is regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), in charge of setting standards for maritime safety. VGM was added as an amendment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Obligations of the shipper and carrier

The responsibility of VGM lies with both shippers and carriers. Shippers are responsible for providing a verified weight of containers to freight forwarders or shipping lines, using certified and approved methods to guarantee accuracy. Carriers are obliged to not carry any container that does not have VGM provided.

What happens if you don’t report VGM within the deadline?

If you do not report VGM in time, your cargo will not be loaded onto the vessel. This leads to greater cost associated with freight, storage, and demurrage.

What are the challenges of VGM?

There are several challenges and considerations for VGM. For it to be effective it’s important that there is education and awareness for every person involved in the supply chain, including all regulations. Understanding potential limitations to weighing capacity at certain cargo terminals and ports helps to smooth out potential delays in advance. Coordination between all parties is key, as this helps to deliver on schedule shipments while meeting safety standards and all regulatory compliance.

Why VGM matters for your business

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is such a critical component of shipping operations. It ensures the safety of maritime logistics and has an impact on the overall journey and schedule of consignments sent by ocean freight. An accurate declaration of the weight of containers ensures international regulations are complied with. As a global freight forwarder with a network of trusted global partners, our team ensures that all documentation is accurate and up-to-date, and that the VGM for each shipment is accurate.

Contact Emerald Freight

Speak to the team at Emerald Freight and we’ll be happy to offer an exceptional level of service for a range of shipments and consignment types. We understand the complexities of freight forwarding and will match your specific needs, desired delivery schedules, and budget with the right partner. With this approach we’ll ensure that deliveries are speedy and secure, and that there are minimal delays at border points. For ocean freight, VGM is a critical component, and this is a crucial part of our service making sure that all aspects of a delivery come together.