World Shipping Council: IMO must approve mandatory container weigh-ins
THERE must be no further delay in solving the problems associated with mis-declared container weights, said World Shipping Council (WSC) president Christopher Koch.
The UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is on the verge of a "compromise". Those against mandatory weigh-ins find it hard find the compromise in that it comes down being able to discuss one form of mandatory weight verification system over another.
The Asian Shippers Council and the European Shippers Council oppose the measure as being costly, and unnecessary and throws into doubt who to blame in case of delays and resulting costs.
But Mr Koch said the collective work and agreement of 15 governments and 13 industry groups have forged a "compromise solution" for consideration by the IMO's sub-committee on dangerous goods, solid cargoes and containers (DSC).
Mr Koch said overweight container present safety hazards for ships, their crews, other cargo on board, workers in the port facilities handling containers, and on roads. Incorrectly declared weights also lead to incorrect ship stowage and accidents.
Furthermore, the problem facilitates unlawful evasion of taxes and impair authorities' ability to perform cargo security risk assessment, he sa
THERE must be no further delay in solving the problems associated with mis-declared container weights, said World Shipping Council (WSC) president Christopher Koch.
The UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is on the verge of a "compromise". Those against mandatory weigh-ins find it hard find the compromise in that it comes down being able to discuss one form of mandatory weight verification system over another.
The Asian Shippers Council and the European Shippers Council oppose the measure as being costly, and unnecessary and throws into doubt who to blame in case of delays and resulting costs.
But Mr Koch said the collective work and agreement of 15 governments and 13 industry groups have forged a "compromise solution" for consideration by the IMO's sub-committee on dangerous goods, solid cargoes and containers (DSC).
Mr Koch said overweight container present safety hazards for ships, their crews, other cargo on board, workers in the port facilities handling containers, and on roads. Incorrectly declared weights also lead to incorrect ship stowage and accidents.
Furthermore, the problem facilitates unlawful evasion of taxes and impair authorities' ability to perform cargo security risk assessment, he sa