Verified Gross Mass (VGM)

Effective July 1st 2016 weight of containers needs to be verified

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (PDF file on worldshipping.org) that requires packed containers' gross mass to be verified prior to stowage aboard ship.

As from July 1st 2016 this regulation, effective as global law, prohibits loading of a packed container in absence of the verified gross mass (VGM).

This applies to all packed containers which are to be loaded on to a vessel under the SOLAS regime in international maritime traffic.

For access to additional information please see our quick links on the right-hand side of this page.

VGM – Shipper

Which VGM-related information is vital for shippers? Find out more.

VGM – Shipper

VGM – Terminal

What is the role of terminal operators and which EDI messages are recommended for VGM? Find out more.

VGM – Terminal

VGM resources

See the following PDF files and links on worldshipping.org

Brochures and letters

EDI resources

For further information, please visit the following links on the SMGD Webpage.

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