IMO introduces new policy on Verified Gross Container Weight
Export Development Council (EDC)
posted March 2016

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will be implementing the new policy on verified gross container weight pursuant to the amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention on Cargo Information effective July 01, 2016. The SOLAS convention is applicable globally.

The new policy mandates that no packed container shall be allowed loading by the carrier and port operator without the submission by the shipper of a verified gross container weight. It is a violation of SOLAS to load a container aboard a vessel without proper weight verification. There is no exemption to this requirement.