Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is the total weight of a containers contents, including dunnage and bracing, plus the tare weight of the container carrying this cargo. VGM is a requirement of the International Maritime Organizations Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, which mandate that shipments verified gross mass be provided before vessel loading. The purpose of VGM is to ensure accurate weight reporting, which is crucial for the safety of ships at sea and the personnel involved in container handling.
Shippers of vessel-bound consignments must provide a VGM prior to shipment, and the shipper is responsible for providing the container weight. There are two acceptable methods for calculating VGM: using a calibrated scale, you can either weigh your shipments entire sealed container after it has been packed, or you can weigh all the cargo and contents of the container and then add those figures to your containers tare weight.
If a container is shipped without VGM information, it cannot be loaded onto the ship until its verified gross mass has been obtained. The VGM deadline is set by the shipping company, and each container needs to submit VGM by the deadline in order to be loaded onto the ship. The VGM cannot be submitted before the deadline.
In summary, VGM is a requirement for ocean shipments that ensures accurate weight reporting for the safety of ships at sea and the personnel involved in container handling. Shippers are responsible for providing the container weight, and there are two acceptable methods for calculating VGM. Containers without VGM information cannot be loaded onto the ship until their verified gross mass has been obtained.
