WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ – American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier Group (ARC) announced its Verified Gross Mass (VGM) policy and procedures.

Starting on 1 July 2016, amendments to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention will come into force that require the gross mass of all packed containers to be verified prior to loading on board a vessel. This SOLAS regulation applies to containers loaded on roll on/roll off vessels, like the ones operated by ARC.

“A packed container will not be allowed to be loaded on board vessels to which the SOLAS Convention applies unless the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the container has been provided to the ship’s master or his representative and to the terminal or its representative sufficiently in advance to allow for the edition of the loading plan.”

The VGM may be calculated using one of two methods:

• Method 1: weighing the container after it has been packed; or
• Method 2: weigh all cargo / contents of the container and add those weights to the container’s tare weight, as indicated on the door of the container.

No VGM, No Load

To comply with the VGM regulation, ARC will not load a container for which a VGM has not been provided by the shipper. The shipper named on ARC’s bill of lading, regardless of who packs the container, is the party responsible for providing the packed container’s VGM. It is important to note that many terminal operators may adopt a “No VGM, No Entry” policy at their premises. All deliveries will require a copy of the VGM to accompany the dock receipt or other acceptable documentation upon delivery to the port.

VGM Submission

VGM data should be sent in an email to ARC at: ARCCustomerService@amslgroup.com.

VGM submission deadline is no later than 48 hours prior to load, unless the terminal refuses entry without the VGM. In that case, submission deadline is no later than 48 hours prior to terminal delivery. In addition, should ARC be responsible to pick up the container at the shipper’s facility, the dispatch of the truck will not occur until ARC has the VGM in its possession.

VGM Required Data

Include the following details in the VGM email to ARC:

• ARC Booking Number and/or Port Call File Number (PCFN) (for US Military shipments)
• Container Number
• TCN (for US Military shipments)
• VGM Weight
• Unit of Measurement (lbs or kg)
• Method of Weighing (as noted above): Method 1or Method 2
• Date of Declaration
• Shipper of Record or Responsible Party (Name, Address and Contact details)
• Name of Shipper of Record’s Authorized Person (Signatory)

For the customer’s assistance, ARC’s booking confirmation email will include a reminder of the VGM requirements.

Additional Information

For further information on the VGM requirement, please reference the SOLAS regulations (http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Cargoes/Containers/Pages/Verification-of-the-gross- mass.aspx) or the World Shipping Council’s guidance (http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/cargo-weight)

For information on how ARC can handle your cargo, please visit us at: arrcnet.com or send a message: contact@ARCshipping.com. For media inquiries, please contact Charles Diorio at (201) 571-0450 or cdiorio@amslgroup.com.