BIMCO calls on IMO to approve mandate container weight verification

BIMCO calls on IMO to approve mandate container weight verification

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FOUR major shipping associations, representing carriers, shipmanagers and port authorities, have issued a joint state urging the UN's International Maritime Organisation to adopt the current proposal for mandating compulsory container weigh-ins before loading.Saturday, 07.Sep.2013, 07:44 (GMT)

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BIMCO calls on IMO to approve mandate container weight verification

FOUR major shipping associations, representing carriers, shipmanagers and port authorities, have issued a joint state urging the UN's International Maritime Organisation to adopt the current proposal for mandating compulsory container weigh-ins before loading.

No shipper organisations were co-signers as shippers find such mandates burdensome in terms of time and money as weigh-ins are extra steps that slow movement and add to scheduling demands.

But the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) issued its own statement: "GSF maintains that the majority of shippers act responsibly and comply with their responsibilities to make accurate cargo declarations. However, a number of recent incidents have highlighted that weight mis-declarations may be on the rise. We believe that the IMO Correspondence Group proposals are sensible and proportionate and will lead to improved operational performance and enhanced safety within the maritime supply chain."

Mis-declared container cargo weights are safety hazards for ships, their crews, other cargo on board, as well to dockers and other freight handlers connected rail and road transport, said the statement from BIMCO, the International Association of Ports and Harbours, the International Chamber of Shipping and the World Shipping Council.

The collective work and agreement of 15 governments and 13 industry groups have forged a compromise solution for the IMO's consideration in mid-September. The IMO has recognised and discussed the problem of incorrect container weights for over six years.

"With the input of many governments and industry organisations, the IMO now has before it an openly and carefully negotiated and crafted compromise proposal for addressing this recognised and documented safety and customs problem," according to the joint statement.

"This compromise should be adopted as a long-needed improvement to maritime safety. It is time to solve the problem. It is time for the IMO to adopt the solution that is before it," the joint statement said.

Mis-declared container weights also facilitate evasion of customs tariffs, while also impairing customs authorities' ability to perform accurate cargo security risk assessment, the statement said.