Solas Weighbridges.
Solas (Container Weigher) Weighbridges
SOLAS weighing refers to the mandatory requirement under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea convention to provide a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for packed shipping containers before loading onto a vessel.
It is further an international maritime safety treaty designed to ensure that ships comply with minimum safety standards in construction, equipment and operation. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced that this new container weighing legislation came into force from July 1, 2016. With the first ever version of the treaty passed in in 1914 in response to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, SOLAS in itself is not new. However, the forthcoming introduction of mandatory verification of shippers’ declared container weights will require all containers to be weighed before being shipped.
Container weight verification options
Verification of container weights can be achieved in two ways:
- Weight verification method 1 › Weighing the packed container using calibrated and certified equipment; or
- Weight verification method 2 › Weighing all packages and cargo items, including packing materials and the tare weight of the container, then adding the sum of all weights together to provide a verified weight. › Estimating weights is not permitted under the SOLAS revisions.
Please note:
- Weighbridges in South Africa cannot exceed 60 Tons, unless a Site-Specific Type Approval is sought.
- 80 Ton Site-Specific Type Approval(s) can be sought provided that the correct documentation is in place. The lead time for the project is 120 days after date of submission of the project to the regulator.
- Any additional charges related to Site-Specific Type Approval or General Type Approval (if applicable), will be for the account of the Purchaser.