Verified Gross Mass (VGM)

To our valued customers,

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is currently conducting compliance sampling of containers to verify that the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) requirements of Marine Order 42 (Carriage, stowage and securing of cargoes and containers) 2016 (‘MO42’) are being met.

AMSA is aware of occasional discrepancies between the declared weight (VGM) and that measured at points in the supply chain to the vessel.

MO42 requires shippers to ensure that the actual gross mass of each container is in accordance with the gross mass declared in the cargo information supplied to the master of the vessel. Further, the legislation specifies two acceptable methods by which the gross mass of a container shall be verified by the shipper:

Method 1: Weighing the packed container using calibrated and certified equipment; or

Method 2: Weighing all packages and cargo items (including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other securing material to be packed in the container), and adding the tare mass of the container to the sum of the single masses.

Both weighing methods require use of calibrated and certified equipment complying with section 10(3) of MO42.

Please be aware of the following:

1.    Which method of verification/weighing was used for containers.

2.    Evidence that the equipment in use is certified and calibrated as required.

3.    Confirmation of meeting requirements of relevant legislation.

AMSA may be following up on these matters when discrepancies are noted.

If you have any questions please contact your local Quay representative.

Kind Regards,

Quay Customer Service Team