Qualified support for IMO container weighing decision

The IMO sub-committee approved draft guidelines giving shippers two methods to verify the weight of a container – either by weighing the packed container, or by weighing all packages and cargo items and then adding the tare mass of an empty container.

“The compromise proposal was most probably the best possible outcome and BIFA will now work with its members to work out how they comply with the requirements of the new rules when they come into force, without adding significant costs or causing supply chain delays,“ says BIFA director general, Peter Quantrill.

The proposal still has to navigate several stages through the IMO’s legislative process and, if successful, will most likely not come into force before May 2017.