THE British International Freight Association (BIFA) director general Peter Quantrill says there is a "real problem" with mandatory container weighing because insurers show one fifth of all boxes are overweight.
"Implementation of new rules is a lengthy process and that should give the industry and our members time to make sure of accurate cargo declarations," said Mr Quantrill.
His comments came after BIFA voiced its support for the International Maritime Organisation's approval of draft amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Chapter VI to require mandatory verification of containers weights.
But BIFA cautioned that all concerned should accept that if the "aggregating" method that has been suggested does not work, mandatory weighing of fully loaded containers is likely, a statement said.
"All parties have responsibilities in relation to this subject and must fulfil them," said Mr Quantrill.
"BIFA believes that the correct place to establish the weight of a loaded container is before the vehicle drives on the public highway.
"In the final analysis the present problems are a direct result of poor regulatory enforcement."
The IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) approved the draft guidelines, giving shippers two methods to verify the weight of a container - either by weighing the entire loaded container using calibrated and certified equipment; or weighing the packages and dunnage and adding the weight of the empty container.
The draft amendments are expected to be put forward for adoption to the next MSC session in November 2014.
CONTAINER
25 May 2014 - 19:27
BIFA: Mandatory container weigh-ins likely outcome as 20pc overweight
THE British International Freight Association (BIFA) director general Peter Quantrill says there is a "real problem" with mandatory container weighing because insurers show one fifth of all boxes are overweight.
CONTAINER
25 May 2014 - 19:27
BIFA: Mandatory container weigh-ins likely outcome as 20pc overweight
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