IMO Subcommittee Approves Proposal to Require Container Weight Verification

The International Maritime Organization Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargo and Containers subcommittee approved proposed changes that would require container weight verification, said the World Shipping Council (WSC) in a press release. The proposed changes to the Safety of Life at Sea convention will require container weights to be verified before the loaded containers are placed on ships. The WSC voiced support for the changes, noting that "misdeclared container weights have been a long-standing problem for the transportation industry and for governments as they present safety hazards for ships, their crews, and other cargo on board, workers in the port facilities handling containers, and on roads." The WSC said it expects "approval by the Maritime Safety Committee in May 2014 and the final adoption in November 2014." The shipping industry " will continue to work with all supply chain stakeholders on the processes necessary to ensure smooth implementation, which could occur in July 2016," the WSC said.