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FEATURESShippers• UseeitherMethod1or2 to obtain in VGM;• EnsureVGMisstatedin the shipping document• DeclareVGMsufficiently in advance for export containersTerminal operator• Nottoloadlocalexport container with no VGMVesselmaster or representative• ComplywithSOLAS; no VGM, no loadingThe terminal operator and vessel master or his representative are responsible for ensuring that:a. ContainerspackedwithpackagesandcargoitemsarenotloadedontoashipunlesstheVGMofthecontainerhasbeenobtained by the vessel master or his representative and the terminal representative; and b. ThesubmittedVGMisusedforshipstowageplanning.4. How should the VGM of a container be obtained?The VGM of the container must be obtained by one of the following methods:a. Method1:WeighingthepackedcontainerasawholeusingaweighinginstrumentthathasbeenverifiedbyanAuthorisedVerifier designated by SPRING Singapore under the Singapore Weights and Measures Programme;b. Method2:Weighingtheindividualpackagesandcargoitems,includingthemassofpallets,dunnageandothersecuringmaterial, using weighing instruments that have been verified by an Authorised Verifier designated by SPRING Singapore under the Singapore Weights and Measures Programme, and adding the sum to the tare mass of the container.The shipper must maintain records of the weighing process to ensure that the process used to derive the VGM is traceable. Such records should trail the process and document details of the equipment used to demonstrate compliance with either Method 1 or 2 as described above.5. Who is the designated authority for the implementation of SOLAS Regulation VI/2 in Singapore?SOLAS Regulation VI/2 will be legislated under the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be the agency implementing and enforcing the requirements.6. Are there any exceptions to the SOLAS Regulation VI/2 requirements?The following exceptions apply:a. Containerscarriedonachassisoratrailerwhensuchcontainersaredrivenonoroffaro-roshipengagedinshortinternational voyages as defined in SOLAS Regulation III/3 are excluded;b. Transhipmentcontainersloadedattheirportoforiginafter1July2016neednotbere-weighedtoobtainaVGM.Whereapacked container is delivered to a port terminal facility by a ship to which SOLAS Regulation VI/2 applies, the VGM shouldhave been obtained before it was loaded on to the delivering ship; andc. Transhipmentcontainersloadedattheirportoforiginbefore1July2016arenotsubjecttoSOLASRegulationVI/2andarenot required to declare their VGM during transhipment at Singapore.7. Is the shipper required to be accredited to demonstrate compliance with weighing methods 1 or 2?MPA does not require the shipper to be accredited to show compliance with weighing methods 1 or 2 (described at A4 above). However, the shipper must exercise due dilligence when obtaining VGMs of packed containers and must ensure compliance with one of the two methods.8. Is the shipper required to be registered as a shipper and/or registered for a specific method used to obtain the VGM?There are no regulatory requirements for the shipper to be registered or pre-approved for the use of either method 1 or 2 to obtain the VGM.9. Is the shipper required to declare the method used to obtain the VGM in the shipping document?SOLAS Regulation VI/2 does not require the shipper to provide the method used to obtain the VGM. Nevertheless, if requested by the terminal operator or the vessel master or his representative, the shipper is encouraged to declare the method used accordingly.|19ISSUE 51 | WAVES