The SA freight industry is not alone in trying to achieve clarity on the complex issues surrounding the imminent global container weighing rules imposed by the International Maritime Organisation’s new Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) convention.
China, for example, has been accused of being tardy in its implementation of the rules, with industry professionals pointing to operational issues as a contributor to the slow progress, according to the Journal of Commerce.
And, reported Port Technology, initial confusion stems from whether it is the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Communications, or the Maritime Safety Administration that is dealing with the ‘verified gross mass’ aspect of the new Solas rules.
Added to that, EU shippers have also been looking for greater clarity, and recently urged governments to explain how shippers can best comply with the new regulations.
Terminal operators are also in a state of confusion, complaining about the lack of information. This was backed up by the Federation of European Private Port Operators (Feport), which has urged national authorities to draw up effective guidelines.
The new regulations are due to come into effect on July 1.
