VERIFIED GROSS MASS (FACT) S & FAQS

Transcription

1 M A R C H VERIFIED GROSS MASS (FACT) S & FAQS Adelaide Terminal - Implementation SOLAS amendments effective 1 July Overview 2. Shipper, Packer, Transport Co FAQ s 3. PRA Example 4. Shipping Line FAQ s 5. General FAQ s / SOLAS Links 6. Local Weighbridges

2 Poor Practice The accurate weight of containers is not always provided by shippers. The incorrect declaration of container weight has led to accidents and continues to pose significant risks to both landside and maritime workers. CURRENT PRACTICE How do I advise which method I have used? When lodging the PRA through the FACT website you will note at the bottom of the PRA options clearly marked Method 1 or Method 2. Simply check the appropriate box applicable to your chosen method along with the name of the individual making the declaration. How do I lodge a PRA with FACT? If you are a regular shipper you would already be familiar with the FACT website and how to lodge a PRA. The process is the same, however if you do not identify the individual responsible for packing the container along with the method - the PRA will be rejected. New SOLAS Regulations The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will soon enforce the new SOLAS weight regulations approved by the Maritime Safety Committee in This new regulation will enhance the standards of safety and reliability within the shipping industry. The regulation will come into effect on 1st July Who needs to provide a VGM? The new regulation requires shippers to be responsible for verifying and providing the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) in advance of the container arriving at the terminal. Under the new regulations Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal (FACT) will be prohibited from receiving (or loading) a container without the required VGM in place on any vessel that is bound to the SOLAS convention. What do shippers need to do? This information can be relayed to the Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal via the Pre-Receival Advice (PRA) as long as the shipper (or appointed party) identifies either one of the two methods they have used to verify the VGM. Process The shipper (or a third party appointed by shipper) weighs the packed container at the end of the packing operation once the seal is fixed using calibrated and certified equipment. METHOD JULY or Process The shipper (or a third party appointed by shipper) weighs all packages, cargo items, pallets, dunnage and other packing & securing material - then adds the tare mass of the container. The total sum finally obtained is the weight to be provided. METHOD Both methods are subject to weighing equipment being calibrated and certified by an approved body. I send my PRA s to Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal by electronic messaging (EDI). How will these changes affect me? If you are currently sending Pre Receival Advices (PRA s) by electronic messaging we will need to make some adjustment to the message type which we receive to include the Method and the authorised individual. We are currently working with 1-Stop to develop a message type that will be common across both platforms - 1-Stop & FACT. Once we have finalised this message type we will make the necessary changes to our system to receive this EDI. For more information about new Verified Gross Mass Regulations and lodgement via the FACT Website visit or contact the VBS Clerk on

3 Shipper, Packer & Transport Co - FAQ s What is Verified Gross Mass (VGM)? Verified Gross Mass means that the weight of each packed container must be proven. This Verified Gross Weight must not only consider the masses of all packages and cargo items, but the container tare and all additional loading equipment (e.g. lashing material) too. Who is responsible to provide a Verified Gross Mass to FACT? The regulation clearly stipulates that the shipper is responsible, being further defined as the shipper noted on the Bill of Lading (BOL). Since this can also be the freight forwarder, clear agreements as to the responsibility should be made between the parties involved. In the case of a consolidation, only the consolidator, which is not the original shipper, is in the position to provide the final weight. How can VGM be determined? There are two ways to determine a VGM in accordance with the new SOLAS regulation: Method 1: Weighing the container after it has been completely packed and sealed. The weighing can be performed by the shipper or by a third party contracted by the shipper. Any scale, weighbridge, lifting equipment or other devices used to verify the gross mass of the container must meet the applicable accuracy standards and requirements of the state in which the equipment is being used Method 2: Calculating All packages and cargo items may be weighed individually (including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other packing and securing material) and must be added to the tare of the container visible on the exterior of the container. The method used for weighing the container s contents is subject to the certification and approval as determined by the competent authority of the state in which the packing and sealing of the container were completed. Any weighing equipment used to weigh the contents of the container must meet the applicable accuracy standards and requirements of the state in which the equipment is being used. What changes will be made to the FACT Web based PRA? An example of the proposed changes to the FACT PRA can be seen on the following page of this publication. The main changes are highlighted by the green staggered lines. The PRA will not be accepted until all of the mandatory fields are completed. Even though these changes do not come into effect until July 1 st 2016, FACT has decided to implement the redesigned PRA in advance of the commencement date in order to familiarise users with the new format. Remember: Nothing is legally binding until July 1 st so until that date we are simply conducting a familiarisation exercise. As the shippers nominated packer and the transport company for this container - the shipper currently gives me access to their PRA via the FACT Website to update such information as container #, seal #, weights etc. Under the proposed regulations will this change? No. The PRA system will work exactly as it does now. The shipper by creating the draft PRA on the FACT website and then nominating your organisation as either the packer or transport co for this particular container will give you access to update the PRA. In this instance effectively you become their authorised third party and can change the details on the PRA - including the VGM. Please note as the authorised third party you will become the signatory for the PRA and you will need to ensure that proper protocols are followed in line with the new SOLAS regulations. Will FACT have the capability to weigh containers at the terminal? Currently FACT operates a number of straddle carriers with the capability of weighing containers. We are currently testing their suitability of the straddles to accurately weigh containers and then relay this information into our Terminal Operating System. There is a possibility this service may be available by July 1 st 2016 but if not we believe we will have the capability in the foreseeable future. We will keep you posted about these developments.

4 VERIFIED GROSS MASS - PRA CHANGES The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will soon enforce the new SOLAS weight regulations approved by the Maritime Safety Committee in This PRA has been amended to reflect the changes required under these regulations - but does not come into effect (or is legally binding) until 1st July In preparation we have made alterations to the PRA in order for you to familiarise yourself with the changes that will come into effect post July 1st * Verified Gross Mass of Container (kg)* CT Container: O/Width Right (cm) O/Width Left (cm) (please complete First & Last Name in CAPITAL LETTERS* I the authorised shipper or third party appointed by the shipper hereby declare this container has been weighed using one of the two methods required under SOLAS Regulations. Method 1 Method 2 I hereby certify the above Verified Gross Mass Declaration is true and correct. NOTE: for further details about changes to SOLAS Regulations and Method 1 & 2 - please follow this link. *

5 Shipper, Packer & Transport Co - FAQ s cont. How will FACT relay this weight information back to the shipper/exporter and the shipping line? On the basis we can offer this service we would make the weight available to the exporter via the FACT website and to the shipping line via EDI transmission and the FACT website. Will FACT charge for this weighing service? Once we have ascertained the straddles suitability to weigh these containers we would offer this service for a fee. Most likely it would be invoiced to the shipper via the transport company thru the VBS System. We will provide this detail at a later date closer to the VGM deadline once we are clearer about our capabilities. Shipping Line - FAQ s How will the terminal advise the shipping line of individual containers declared Verified Gross Mass weight? When the container is gated (arrives) at the terminal a CODECO message will be generated by the Terminal Operating System direct to the shipping line. Remember the terminal will not accept a container unless we already have the VGM in our system before the container arrives. The CODECO message is the same message type already in use with the existing system - the only change being this weight declaration will now be referred to as the VGM. Will there be VGM visibility through the FACT Website prior to the container gating at the terminal? Yes. As long as the shipper/exporter has completed the Pre-Receival Advice, visibility of individual container VGM s will be available through the PRA Tab on the FACT website. You will need to select the PRA Tab - Vessel, then Booking # and you can drill down to individual container level. However, be careful using this weight as it may change prior to the container arriving at the terminal. The shipper or appointed third parties can change the VGM anytime up until the container has gated at the terminal. The final VGM weight can only be truly ascertained at this point. Will I be able to view and download entire vessels individual container VGM s on the FACT website? Yes. Individual containers can be viewed under the Vessel Tab on the individual vessel Export Load List. Again this is no change to the current practice except the Weight column now becomes the VGM column. Will FACT provide a summarised version of the Container Load List on the FACT Website? Yes. A summary of the entire vessel load list can be found on the Vessel Tab under Container Recap Report. Here you will find a summary breakdown by Line, Port of Discharge, Container Size & Type and Quantity along with the Verified Gross Mass by each variation. If you are the Vessel Operator you will also see your own export lift along with a breakdown of your consortia partners load. This will all be summarised along with a Verified Gross Mass total for the entire Adelaide load for the ship. At any point during the receival period you can accurately view the progressive VGM load for the vessel. In the event that FACT decide to weigh containers at the terminal how will the VGM be relayed to the shipping line? EDI transmission will be relayed by CODECO message type. The initial CODECO message will contain the typical gate information but a subsequent CODECO message will be sent which will update the Verified Gross Mass. Real time visibility will also be available thru the FACT website. What if the VGM exceeds the maximum payload? FACT cannot check the VGM against the payload of individual containers - it is up to the shipping line to check any VGM against the maximum container payloads. Containers exceeding the maximum payload indicated on the Safety Approval Plate and which are subject to the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) cannot be loaded onto the vessel. The shipping line will need to advise FACT in instances where this has occurred and arrangements will be made for this container to be removed from the terminal. How will FACT inform the vessel of the stow plan VGM? There is work currently underway to upgrade the current BAPLIE message to incorporate the VGM. FACT is in the process of updating their system to handle this message type which will be ready for the July 1 st commencement date. This new BAPLIE message type will be used to pass on VGM information to the vessel prior to departure.

6 General FAQ s What will happen if a verified weight is not provided? Unless a VGM is provided on the PRA the container cannot be gated into FACT. How can one prove that the submitted weight is a VGM? The declared weight on the PRA will be accepted as the VGM and it must be signed by the shipper or a person duly authorised by the shipper. Unless the PRA clearly states the VGM the container will not be received at FACT. The signature may be an electronic signature in the case of an EDI transmission or may be replaced by the name in capital letters of the person authorised to sign on the FACT PRA website. What is the SOLAS Container Weight Verification Requirement? The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has amended the SOLAS regulations to require that container weights must be verified prior to loading. The regulation will go into effect on July 1, 2016 when it will be a violation to load a packed container on to a vessel if the operator and marine terminal do not have a verified container weight. What is the purpose of the SOLAS amendment? The SOLAS amendment was introduced to increase the safety of container vessels, improve vessel stability and reduce the incidence of collapsing container stacks. With an estimated 10% of containers noting an incorrect weight, the regulation is of particular importance for vessel operators as well as to avoid potential environmental damage. Which authority raised the requirement? The requirement to only ship containers with a VGM was raised by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). What is the scope of this new regulation? The new regulation applies to: - All packed containers - to which the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) applies and - which are to be loaded onto a ship subject to SOLAS Chapter VI. When will the VGM requirement enter into force? The new SOLAS requirement is valid from 1 July Who is responsible for submitting the VGM to FACT or to the shipping line? The shipper is responsible for the verification of the gross mass of a container as well as for ensuring that the VGM is communicated to the terminal or to the carrier (please refer to Chapter 4.1 of the SOLAS guideline). The terminal and the carrier itself is not obliged to cross-check the VGM received. Independent of the party verifying and sending the VGM, it remains in the responsibility of the shipper that the carrier and terminal operator receive the information in time. Is there any exception to the above question? No, the shipper always remains responsible to ensure the carrier and the terminal operator receive the information in time. However, the actual verification and sending can be done by a third party contracted by the shipper, including the carrier or the terminal operator itself (please refer to Chapter or of the SOLAS guideline). January 2016FAQs - New SOLAS regulation

7 Local Public Weighbridges No. Weighbridge Address 1 1 Sims Metal 2 Kapara Road Gillman 2 Semaphore Containers Mersey Road Osborne 3 3 Normetals 4 4 Kerry Logistics 5 5 Gillman Weighbridge 255 Grand Junction Road Ottoway Grand Trunkway, Port Adelaide Eastern Parade, Port Adelaide Truck Configuration B Doubles B Doubles currently R/Trains (Jul-16) 18m w/bridge 60t B Doubles B Double / Road Train 120t 4 plate Price Hours Phone 7.30AM- 4.30PM 7.00AM- 7.00PM 7.30AM- 4.30PM 7.00AM- 5.00PM $22+GST 24/ Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal