SOLAS VGM FAQs

What is Verified Gross Mass (VGM)?

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) refers to the verified overall weight of a container.

Why do I need to submit a VGM?

The international Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), adopted amendments to SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) which require ports to have a VGM weight before a container can be loaded onto a vessel.

The SOLAS amendments introduced two main new requirements:

1. the shipper is responsible for providing the verified weight by stating it in the shipping document and submitting it to the master or his representative and to the terminal representative sufficiently in advance to be used in the preparation of the ship stowage plan; and
2. the verified gross weight is a condition for loading a packed container onto a ship.

The verification of the gross weight can be achieved by either of two methods:

1. Method 1: weighing the packed container; or
2. Method 2: weighing all packages and cargo items, including the weight of pallets, dunnage and other securing material to be packed in the container and adding the tare weight of the container to the sum of the single weights, using a certified method approved by the competent authority of the State in which packing of the container was completed.

The amendments to SOLAS regulation VI/2 were accepted on 1 January 2016 and will enter into force on 1 July 2016.

You can read more about the changes on the following websites,

1. International Maritime Organization - http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Cargoes/Containers/Pages/Verification-of-the-gross-mass.aspx
2. Martime NZ - http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/commercial/ships/cargo-carriage/container-weight-faqs.asp

What does this mean for export containers?

This means that export containers that are loaded onto a vessel MUST have a VGM weight in the ports' system. From the 1st of July, 2016, NZ ports will not load any container on to a vessel unless they have the VGM for that container.

How can the VGM info be provided to the port?

VGM weights can be sent to ports as part of Pre-Advice. Pre-Advice is an electronic message that is sent to ports with the details of the export container (i.e. an online version of a Carters Note). Pre-Advice contains vital information about the container and the vessel it will be going out on.

Pre-Advice can be submitted in two ways:

1. Via the PortConnect website; or
2. Via B2B XML Pre-Advice directly from your system to PortConnect

 To obtain access to PortConnect, contact info@portconnect.co.nz.

Who is responsible for providing the VGM to the port?

The Shipper is the party who is legally responsible for providing the VGM weight. However, any party can submit the Pre-Advice but the person who does so will be asked to confirm that they are entering a valid VGM before they can submit the Pre-Advice. This will provide an audit trail in the event that Martime NZ or other government organisation wishes to conduct an audit.

By submitting Pre-Advice the user agrees to PortConnect’s Terms and Conditions and confirms the validity of the information submitted. You can view a copy of PortConnect’s Terms and Conditions here, https://www.portconnect.co.nz/Home/TermsAndConditions 

What VGM info needs to be provided to the port?

As part of PortConnect Pre-Advice, the only VGM information you need to provide is the VGM itself and confirmation that it is a correctly obtained VGM. PortConnect will send through the Pre-Advice along with the details of the user who submitted it to the port.

You may wish to keep your own records on the following information.

• Verified Gross Mass for the container
• Weight calculation method
• Date of verification
• Name of Declarant
• Company name of the Declarant
• Phone or email of the Declarant

When do I need to start submitting a VGM in the Pre-Advice?

The SOLAS legislation takes effect from 1 July 2016, however, as requested by our Partner Ports, PortConnect will be introducing changes to Pre-Advice on the 14th of June to help ensure that vessels and containers transiting during the coming weeks are not held up due to missing VGM information, if loading or departure is delayed beyond the 1st of July. Therefore, users will need to tick the VGM tick box even for containers which are departing before the 1st of July. 

What is the time-frame for submitting Pre-Advice?

You can submit a Pre-Advice any time up until the port receival cut off or until the truck/train arrives at the port if this is before the receival cut off.

Do I need to enter a VGM weight for an empty container?

Yes. Legally empty containers do not require a VGM to be loaded onto a vessel but our partner ports have asked for all containers to have a VGM weight. For empty containers you can enter the tare weight which is written on the container.

Do I need to enter a VGM weight for a coastal container?

Yes. Legally coastal containers do not require a VGM to be loaded onto a vessel but our partner ports have asked for all containers to have a VGM weight.

Do I need to enter a VGM weight for a container coming in by Rail?

Yes. Containers arriving by Rail will also require a confirmed VGM weight.

Can I pre-advise a container without a VGM?

No. The VGM field will be mandatory in PortConnect and you will not be able to submit Pre-Advice without including this information and confirming its validity.

Can I save a draft Pre-Advice until I have the VGM weight?

Yes. You can enter container details and save the Pre-Advice without having entered the weight information. 

However, only containers with the VGM Weight, the Cargo Gross Weight and VGM Tick will be submitted to the port. If you submit your Pre-Advice and some of the weight information is missing then the container details will not be submitted to the port and the screen will display an error message telling you what information is missing.

Can I change the VGM after I’ve submitted Pre-Advice via PortConnect?

Yes, you can change the VGM, and any other details, as long as it is done PRIOR to Gate-in.

Can a container be weighed at the port?

No. Ports of Auckland and Port of Tauranga have both confirmed that they will not be weighing containers at their Seaports. Their Inland Port facilities may provide this service - please contact the port customer service teams if you have any questions about this.

What changes need to be made to B2B Pre-Advice?

There are no changes to the B2B Pre-Advice format. However, by submitting B2B Pre-Advice the user agrees to PortConnect’s Terms and Conditions and confirms the validity of the information submitted. You can view a copy of PortConnect’s Terms and Conditions here, https://www.portconnect.co.nz/Home/TermsAndConditions 

Where can I find more information about Pre-Advice?

You can find more information by reading the Pre-Advice User-Guide or by contacting info@portconnect.co.nz.

Where can I check if my container has a confirmed VGM weight?

You can look up containers in Track & Trace and drill down on them to see the declared weight and whether it is a VGM or not.

You can also extract the information to Excel or CSV file and check the same details.

Will PortConnect and/or the port send the VGM weight to the Shipping Line?

This depends on the shipping line. PortConnect and our partner ports send a variety of EDI messages to shippings and some of these messages can contain VGM details if the shipping line has agreed this with PortConnect and/or the port.

All shipping lines can also check VGM weights by using PortConnect's Track & Trace.

How can I get my equipment certified for Method two?

An Accredited Person (or Trading Standards Officer) can issue a Certificate of Accuracy on request. A fee is usually charged for this service.

Contact Trading Standards for more information on 0508 627 774.

Do I need to provide a VGM weight for containers that are transshipping at Ports of Auckland or Port of Tauranga?

No. Collecting the VGM weight is the responsibility of the first port of load. Tranship ports will receive the VGM weight directly from the shipping line.