Carriers get tough on shippers who ignore plate rating of containers

SHIPPING LINES appear to be taking a tougher line on shippers who fill containers beyond their maximum pay load. “Every container has a plate-rating,” a shipping line executive explained. “The problem is that shippers sometimes, for example, use boxes with a 21.770 ton maximum cargo capacity to pack 28 tons and more cargo, with worrying implications. Even the capacity of 28 mt containers is sometimes exceeded. “If a container holds more cargo than is safely allowed, not only can it result in heavy damages to the vessel or other cargo, but also injury or even death for those who work around these containers,” he said. In addition, several ports around the world are now holding the shipping lines responsible and fining the vessel or port agents for overloaded boxes. In extreme cases they are refusing to discharge or load the containers, according to our source. “The shipper has an obligation to read the platerating of the container and to ensure that it is not overpacked,” our source told FTW. While in some instances there is flagrant violation of the law, in others it’s a case of ignorance and poor supervision at time of loading. The increasing number of overloaded boxes has prompted Mediterranean Shipping Company to introduce a penalty of US$100 for boxes overloaded from 1kg to 500 kg, moving up to US$200 for 501kg to 1000kg and so on. “The safety of those involved in our industry is of paramount importance,” a spokesman told FTW. “We believe that this is a responsible move for all concerned.” A Safmarine spokesperson told FTW that the line’s commitment to comply with the statutory regulations governing the maximum pay load of containers at both country of origin and destination precluded the transport of any containers that exceeded load regulations. “Should the weight of a container be incorrectly declared – and found to exceed the maximum payload – the container must be unpacked and repacked according to the legal limits and all charges involved in the rehandling of the cargo are for the account of the cargo owner,” the spokesman said.