Groundswell of support grows for mandatory weighing of containers

The groundswell of support for mandatory weighing of export containers before they are loaded aboard ship is gaining momentum ahead of the International Maritime Organisation meeting in September where the issue is high on the agenda. Chairman of the Container Liner Operators’ Forum (Clof), Andrew Thomas, gave his full backing to the initiative which will be considered at the September session of the IMO’s Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC) subcommittee meeting. It’s also garnered the full support of Fonasba, the international ship brokers and ship agents federation, which points out that the problem of under-declared and unverified containers is a serious one for ports and ships. A report to be put forward at the IMO meeting reveals that in recent containership accidents, some boxes were up to ten tonnes heavier than the manifest weight, leading to stack collapse, capsizes and even contributing to the break-up of the vessel. According to Thomas, while it hasn’t been debated in a Clof environment, he believes the container shipping lines would favour the move. From a practical perspective, it would need to be done in the container yards where modern equipment has the facility to be able to weigh containers. “We wouldn’t want it done by the shipto- shore cranes because we wouldn’t want anything that reduced productivity,” said Thomas. “For it to be practically worthwhile it would have to be done in advance because the weight of the container has an impact on the planning of the vessel – misdeclared weights can lead to inappropriate stowage which is dangerous to the crew, to the vessel and to the environment.” It’s important, however, that it’s achieved in a way that does not increase costs or reduce efficiencies, says Thomas, “and this is surely possible,” he said. “Ship agents see the problems which inaccurately weighed containers cause ports and ships every day,” said Fonasba general manager, Jonathan Williams. ”It is extremely worrying that there is currently no obligation for containers to be accurately weighed anywhere along the transport chain.” The initiative is being led by the World Shipping Council in conjunction with shipowners’ association BIMCO, the International Association of Ports and Harbours, the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers Federation, as well as the maritime administrations of Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States. CAPTION Andrew Thomas ... ‘It’s important that it’s achieved in a way that does not increase costs or reduce efficiencies.'