SOLAS Regulations: A Guide to Compliance

While the SOLAS regulations primarily apply to ships themselves, they also have an impact on ports and terminals that handle shipping operations. Specifically, SOLAS regulations require ports and terminals to provide a safe environment for ships to load, unload, and navigate. This includes ensuring that the infrastructure, equipment, and personnel at the port or terminal meet certain safety standards.

For safe and successful vehicle weighing at your site, consider the following questions:

• Will you turn every shipment away that does not have a verified gross-mass weight?
•  Are you interested in providing verified gross-mass (VGM) weight as a service for an additional source of revenue?

One of the key ways SOLAS affects NVOCCs (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers), 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) shippers, and forwarders is through the requirement of obtaining verified gross mass (VGM) of containers. SOLAS regulations require that the VGM of all packed containers be verified and provided to the shipping line and terminal operator prior to loading on a ship. This means that NVOCCs, 3PL shippers, and forwarders must ensure that the weight of the containers they pack is accurately measured and reported.

For safe and successful vehicle weighing at your site, consider the following questions:

• Are you consolidating less than container load shipments which will require you to be named as the shipper?
• Does it make sense for you to provide the weighing service for your customers as the freight moves through your portion of the supply chain?
•  What is the aggregate cost of purchasing the weighing service from others versus revenue generation as a service provider?

SOLAS regulations have implications for manufacturers and shippers related to the verification of container weights, the handling of dangerous goods, and the prevention of marine pollution. Much like for NVOCC, 3PL Shippers and Forwarders, SOLAS regulations require that VGM be verified and provided prior to loading on a ship. This means that manufacturers and shippers must also ensure that the weight of the containers they pack is accurately measured and reported.

For safe and successful vehicle weighing at your site, consider the following questions:

• Are you willing to pay the extra fees for each container to be verified by someone else or do you want your verified weights coming from a known and trusted source?
• Can you afford to have a container held at the port because the verified weight provided to you by an outside source was incorrect?
• If you provide the service for yourself, can you use the data elsewhere or in your operational metrics?
•  Can you provide weights for other manufacturers/shippers as a service for quicker ROI on the equipment?

Enhance productivity, safety and sustainability at your site with WIM (weigh-in-motion) vehicle weighing solutions. With multiple options, it's easy to find the right solution for your operation, helping to maximize performance and ensure compliance with SOLAS regulations.

AxlePass and AxleMate IIJ

AxlePass and AxleMate IIJ capture axle weights and use them to calculate a vehicle’s gross weight within a 2% weighing tolerance. These solutions are ideal for operations that currently do not have a truck scale and are looking to implement a simple, cost-effective solution.

TruckPass

TruckPass is a full-length weigh-in-motion truck scale. With TruckPass, operations can capture axle, axle group and gross weights of trucks moving at speeds up to 5 miles (8 kilometers) per hour. This solution is ideal for operations that have full-length truck scales onsite and want to convert to a more efficient and sustainable solution.

We serve global customers with one of the largest sales and service networks in our industry – over 5,000 sales and service specialists strong.

With routine scale calibration and adjustment, you can measure safely, ensure compliance and avoid costs of inaccurate measurements. Achieve and maintain compliance through consistent procedures and adhere to local and global regulations and standards.