TPT must receive Solas-related info in advance of loading
As the July 1 deadline
for implementation
of the new Solas
regulation requiring the
verified gross mass (VGM)
of every container before
it is loaded aboard ship
closes in, Transnet Port
Terminals has been gearing
up operationally for the
new era.
“From as early as
October, 2015 we
have engaged with
our key customers and
stakeholders, sharing our
respective positions with
regard to Solas compliance
implementation plans.
These engagements
included sessions with
industry bodies such as
the SA Association of Ship
Operators and Agents
(Saasoa), SA Association
of Freight Forwarders
(Saaff), the Citrus Growers’
Association (CGA), the
National Port Consultative
Committee (NPCC) as
well as the South African
Maritime Safety Authority
(Samsa),” Ndlovu told FTW.
“The Solas IMO guideline
circ. 1475 and Samsa
marine notice 18 of 2016
have provided the basis on
which TPT has formulated
the Solas compliance
measures required of a
terminal operator,” he said.
In terms of the guideline,
the VGM must be verified
at source – not in transit
and not at the port itself.
As the terminal operator,
TPT must therefore receive
all the Solas-related
information in respect of
each export (as stipulated
by Samsa) in advance of
loading.
“In order to correctly
manage this process in
an efficient and paperless
manner,” said Ndlovu, “TPT
has undertaken to develop
a Solas-compliant version of
Navis. We have successfully
upgraded the Navis traffic
management system
from 2.3 to 2.6 hassle
free. The current preadvice
process at all Navis
terminals will therefore
continue, with the addition
of a requirement for
all the necessary Solas
information,” he explained.
In preparation for the “go
live”, TPT has undertaken
several regional roadshows
with all its customers and
stakeholders – ending on
June 3.
“The sessions included
Transnet Freight Rail
(TFR) and covered the full
Transnet view of Solas
implementation measures
to ensure that our
customers and stakeholders
are up to date with the
new system requirements.”
INSERT & CAPTION
TPT has undertaken to
develop a Solas-compliant
version of Navis.
Zeph Ndlovu
