Cargo Business Techwire

Friday, April 22, 2016

Europe's shipping industry calls for container weighing clarity

As of July 2016, all shippers must declare to the carrier in advance the verified weight of packed containers. The European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO) has joined the European organizations representing shippers, freight forwarders and terminal operators in the call for national authorities to avoid disruption in the logistics chain and to take action in coordination of SOLAS to preserve a level playing field.

To ensure that the implementation of the new legal requirements does not create competition distortion through a patchwork of varying national measures, countries should pursue a coordinated approach, taking into consideration the national guidelines of other nations when deciding on national rules.

Commonly accepted guidelines between supply chain professionals and national authorities could minimize distortion of competition and ensure smooth functioning of the SOLAS requirements.

Being only two months away from the entry into force of the SOLAS convention, Member States should bring clarity as soon as possible.

In November 2014, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed upon rules for the mandatory weighing of all sea-bound containers to be loaded on a vessel.

The joint letter can be found here: www.espo.be