The call for a harmonized approach by European governments reflects growing concern in the industry over the potential for disruption in the supply chain when the amendment to the International Maritime Organization’s SOLAS convention comes into force around the world on July 1.
“Supply chain actors and national authorities should work towards commonly accepted guidelines in order to minimize distortion of competition and ensure smooth functioning of the SOLAS requirements,” according to the statement issued by the Federation of European Private Port Operators, CLECAT, the European freight forwarding association, European Sea Ports Organization and the European Shippers Council.
Feport, whose members operate some 400 terminals across the European waterfront, has led the campaign for a coordinated approach to the new regulation, but its two earlier statements this year calling for governments to clarify regulations appear to have fallen on deaf ears in some capitals.
The joint statement focuses on national guidelines for the two methods of weighing containers: Method 1, which requires the container is weighed after it has been packed, and Method 2, which requires weighing all the cargo and packing materials in the container and adding them to the container’s tare weight as indicated on its door end.
The groups said European governments should focus on two main elements: tolerances applying to weighing equipment and the certification of those shippers approved to use verified gross mass certificates using Method 2.
“National authorities need to be aware that excessive requirements can have an adverse impact on the logistics chain,” the statement said.
An over-reliance on weighbridges for Method 1 risks creating unnecessary bottlenecks that could be avoided by using other devices, such as spreader mounted weighing devices.
An over-complicated system for the regulation of Methods 1 and 2 could also lead to delays in their authorization.
To avoid market distortions, European governments must adopt similar certification standards that are not overly restrictive and do not have an adverse impact on the functioning of the supply chain.
“So as to ensure transparency and certainty for all actors in the supply chain, evidence should be available when required of the shipper’s authorization to provide a VGM.”
European authorities should also aim for a flexible tolerance level for weighing equipment that takes into account variations that may occur through inaccurate tare weights on official plates, or through the use of different equipment, the groups said.
