International Maritime Organization Approves Container Weight Verification Requirement
The International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee gave its OK to a new container weight verification requirement for loading ships, said the World Shipping Council (WSC). The new requirement comes as part of changes approved by the committee on the…
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Safety of Life at Sea conventions, said the WSC. The changes will be effective July 2016 after the committee officially adopts the changes in November, said the trade group. "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," said the WSC. Problems with container weights also give rise to customs issues, the group said. "In taking these decisions, the IMO has demonstrated its continuing leadership in trying to ensure the safe transportation of cargo by the international shipping industry,” said Chris Koch, CEO of WSC, which advocated for the changes..