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5 April 2016

APL Guidelines on SOLAS VGM Implementation

 

 
Dear Valued Customer,

 

 
As announced earlier, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a new regulation under the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) requiring vessel operators to load only packed containers with shipper-declared Verified Gross Mass (VGM), onboard their ships. This takes effect from 1 July 2016.

 

 
To ensure that your cargo flow is not disrupted as a result of the new regulation, APL has been making enhancements to our systems and processes to facilitate timely and accurate transmission of VGM data.

 

 
Below are the principles that APL will be adopting with regards to shipper’s VGM submission:

 
1. “No VGM, No Load” Policy:
To comply with the IMO regulation, APL will not load a packed container for which VGM has not been provided by the shipper in time, on board its vessels. While APL defaults to a “No VGM, No Load” rule, it is important to note that selected terminals operators may adopt a “No VGM, No Gate-in” policy instead at their premises. A packed container without VGM declared may be denied gate entry into these terminals.

 

 
2. Availability of Container Tare Weight Data: Shippers using Method 2 of deriving VGM will need to add the net weight of all contents of the container to its tare weight. The latter is available on the door-side of the container. However, to empower you to obtain the container tare weight at your convenience, APL will be launching a query tool on APL.com.

 

 

3. VGM Data Flow:
Under the SOLAS requirements, the shipper named on the bill of lading is the party responsible for providing the carrier and the terminal operator with the VGM data. When shipping with APL, your default data flow will be shipper > APL > terminal. In cases where the shipper uses a terminal’s weighing service to obtain VGM data, the flow will then be terminal > shipper > APL.

 

 
4. VGM Submission Channels:
Shippers may submit VGM data to APL via any of the following channels:
 EDI via VERMAS, a new EDIFACT message type;
 Online portals including INTTRA and APL’s HomePort; or
 Email.
Data elements are required by APL during VGM submission include:
 Booking or Bill of Lading Number
 Container Number
 VGM Weight
 Unit of Measurement (KG or LBS)
 Date of Declaration
 Shipper or Responsible Party (Name, Address and Contact details)
 Name of Authorized Person (Signatory)
 Method of Weighing (Method 1 or Method 2) – optional
 Weighing Party (Name, Address and Contact details) – optional
APL will provide further elaboration on the above in due course.

 

 

5. VGM Submission Cut-off:
As specific requirements across governments, ports and terminals can differ, APL’s VGM submission cut-off deadlines will vary from terminal to terminal. We will make available different terminals’ VGM submission cut-offs on APL.com. In addition, we will convey shipment-specific cut-offs during your booking process.
As 1 July 2016 draws near, we will continue to keep you apprised on the topic of VGM implementation. In the meantime, if you have any questions on the subject, please refer to our VGM web page or contact your local APL representative.
We thank you for your business and continued support.
Sincerely,
APL Co. Pte Ltd

 

 

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