Only 30% of global shippers and forwarders surveyed by market analyst INTTRA Marketplace believe that their company and/or their customers will be prepared for compliance once Solas (Safety of Life at Sea) verified gross mass (VGM) regulations kick in in July next year.
Announcing the results today (Thursday), INTTRA said in a statement that of the 410 respondents polled, 48% said they had their doubts about their readiness while 10% indicated that they would not be ready.
Two-thirds of respondents said they expected either a moderate or major disruption in the industry, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region (42%) followed by Africa (22%).
"Some have said that Solas VGM could be to the ocean shipping industry what Y2K was to the broader business world," said Inna Kuznetsova, president of INTTRA Marketplace. "These survey results are consistent with that, as they reflect concerns over potential disruption and lack of preparedness. We believe that coordinated action could facilitate a smooth transition."
