According to SOLAS regulation, shippers must declare the Verified Gross Mass of their cargo. Otherwise, their shipment won’t be loaded on the carrier. Since 2016, when this regulation was released, shippers have had this extra headache.
What is VGM in shipping? If you are new to the shipping world, this fancy term “Verified Gross Mass” is enough to scare you off. But it’s not as complicated as you might think, and we are here to simplify this term even further.
So let’s dive in and find out what VGM really is and why you need to know!
Understanding Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
Verified Gross Mass (VGM), sometimes called Verified Gross Weight, is simply the total weight of a packed container. This includes the weight of everything inside; the cargo itself, plus any dunnage and bracing materials used to secure it, along with the container’s empty weight, or tare weight.
Since July 1, 2016, according to an amendment to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations, shippers must provide the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of a packed container before it can be loaded onto a vessel. This means that without a confirmed total weight from the shipper, carriers and port terminals won’t allow a container on board.
Why gross weight is needed for shipping?
Now you’ve got what Verified Gross Mass is, but why was this regulation introduced in the first place? What changed? After all, before 2016, containers were loaded onto ships without requiring a verified weight declaration.
Because the inaccurate weight estimations have led to many accidents on shore. In the last 15 years, over 20,000 shipping containers have been lost at sea. It’s not like every ship loses containers, but in rough seas, they can lose anything from a single sea freight container to hundreds at a time.
The World Shipping Council estimates that about 1,500 containers are lost each year on average. And one of the reasons for such deadly accidents is inaccurate weight measurements.
When containers are overloaded or unevenly distributed, they can throw a ship’s stability off balance. In stormy weather or choppy waters, these weight imbalances increase the risk of containers sliding, tipping, or even tumbling overboard.
This isn’t just a small slip-up; it can cause a chain reaction, with multiple containers going overboard and, in some cases, even putting the whole ship at risk. That’s why verifying each container’s weight (VGM) is critical. It gives everyone, from the crew to the port staff, a clearer picture of what’s safe for the ship.
Who’s responsible for Verifying Gross Mass?
So, now you know the importance of VGM in shipping. But, whose shoulders are going to take that responsibility? Of course, shippers.
This includes not only the person or company sending the goods but also any third-party logistics provider or freight forwarder handling the shipment on the shipper’s behalf. When shipping internationally, various parties may be involved, but the shipper must ensure that VGM is accurately calculated and declared before the container arrives at the port.
How is VGM calculated?
Being a shipper, you would want to know how to calculate the Verified Gross Mass.
Don’t worry, you won’t need to be a mathematics pro to calculate VGM. Here are two simplest ways to calculate your cargo’s Verified Gross Mass.
Method 1: Weighing the entire loaded container
This is the most straightforward and accurate method for VGM calculation. Once the container is fully packed, the entire container is placed on a calibrated weighing scale to determine its gross weight. If the container is weighed while on a truck or chassis, the weight of the truck and its fuel should be subtracted from the total.
This method is an ideal option if you know the weight of the trailer and prime mover.
VGM = Total weight from weighbridge – the weight of prime mover (if weighed) – the weight of the trailer (if weighed)
Method 2: Adding up all the weights
In this case, you weigh each item going into the container, along with packing materials and any other elements that add weight. After that, you add in the tare weight of the container itself. This method is useful when the weighing equipment for an entire container isn’t available.
VGM = Cargo net weight + Lashing /Packaging weight + Container Tare Weight
However, it’s not practical for shippers dealing with bulk items like scrap or grain. And you might need the permission of local authorities to use this method.
The Process of declaring VGM
So you have calculated the total weight of your goods. Now what? Shout out the weight and call it a day? No. You need to declare your VGM and it’s not really a straightforward process.
Shippers can declare Verified Gross Mass via an EDI message with their contracted shipping line. Normally, a freight forwarder will handle this for you, so it’s a good idea to reach out to them for the specific steps.
Related Reading: What Is Sea Freight Forwarding?
Generally, VGM should be submitted to the shipping line before the cargo’s gate cut-off time. Local authorities might have stricter rules, so double-check with your shipping line’s local office. Terminals usually enforce a “No VGM, No Gate-in” policy, so getting this done is essential.
VGM in action
VGM compliance process is a bit of a hassle, you know that, but what you do not know is you can make this process seamless with just a few considerations, for example:
Weighing the packed container accurately
This one is obvious, if weight measurements are not accurate, you won’t be able to ship your cargo. This means you have to use certified equipment to get the container’s total weight.
If you don’t have time or energy for that, why not hire a professional freight forwarder to take the hassle?
Details needed for VGM declaration
The VGM declaration needs to be clear and complete. Besides, there are a few VGM shipping requirements you need to consider, such as:
-
VGM + unit
-
Legible Signature.
-
Container number
-
Booking or Bill of Lading number
-
Responsible party Name in full
-
Place and date of signature
Updating VGM information
Sometimes, submitted VGM data needs to be updated. If that’s the case, inform the carrier and terminal as soon as possible, either by sending an updated VGM form or by revising the shipping instructions. Information has to be updated timely to avoid delays and keep cargo handling and vessel loading on track.
What happens if VGM is incorrect or missing?
When the Verified Gross Mass is missing or incorrect, the shipping container won’t be loaded. Ports and shipping lines have strict protocols that won’t allow an unverified container onboard. This delay not only disrupts the shipper’s timeline but could lead to additional costs for storage or reweighing. Not to mention fines and potential blacklisting if the shipper repeatedly fails to comply.
If the declared weight is way off, the carrier might step in to fix it. This could mean reweighing the container, moving it to a safer spot on the ship, or even leaving it behind if there isn’t enough time to reweigh.
However, this does not mean your weight must be 100 percent correct. Containers can change weight slightly over time due to wear, and some countries allow a 2-5% tolerance in the VGM. Additionally, certain cargo might gain or lose a bit of weight due to evaporation or humidity changes.
And these small variations don’t pose a risk to ship safety. But still, shippers must use weighing equipment that meets local accuracy standards.
Final Words
To sum up, the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is the total weight of a shipping container containing your goods. It’s not just about complying with SOLAS regulations, it’s more about the safety of anyone involved in the process.
If you are still unsure about what is VGM or how to calculate it accurately, it’s best to consult your freight forwarder like Foresmart. They have plenty of expertise and knowledge to guide you through each stage of your international shipping including the VGM declaration.
FAQs
What is the VGM cut-off time?
“VGM Cut-off” means the deadline is 24 hours before the vessel’s estimated arrival time, as first communicated to the person responsible for declaring the VGM. The “VGM Declarant” can be the shipper or someone acting on the shipper’s behalf.
Who is responsible for declaring Verified Gross Mass (VGM)?
The shipper listed on the Bill of Lading is responsible for accurately measuring and reporting the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the container to both the carrier and port terminals.
What is VGM weight tolerance?
Weight tolerance is not explicitly mentioned, but most enforcement agencies allow up to a 2-5% tolerance for VGM compliance.
