What is VGM (Verified Gross Mass)?
VGM is a term that refers to the practice of weighing containers on commercial vessels by certified weighing equipment and sharing the weight information (including the weight of cargo, packing and securing materials, dunnage and tare weight of the container) with the carrier and terminal before loading.
Why is VGM (Verified Gross Mass) mandatory?
In recent years, serious accidents have occurred at sea and on the shore, caused by full containers with incorrect weights. Inaccuracies in the gross weight information declared by the shippers can lead to dangerous situations in terms of the vessel, port, and load safety. Therefore, VGM has become mandatory for the member countries by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) "International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea" (SOLAS). According to this contract, as of July 1, 2016, it is not possible to load containers without the VGM (Verified Gross Mass) information on vessels. This practice ensures that vessel loads are planned as accurately as possible and that the carriage is made with the maximum level of safety, from start to finish.
How does the VGM (Verified Gross Mass) measurement and reporting process work?
VGM (Verified Gross Mass) is determined by using certified weighing equipment. Shippers or the certified weighing equipment operators submit the VGM into the Turkon Line VGM System.
Some ports offer Terminal VGM options. This should be checked with the local Turkon agent.
Containers with no VGM information will not be loaded onto the vessel.
What are VGM (Verified Gross Mass) measurement methods?
There are two types of VGM (Verified Gross Mass) measurement methods. The first is the method of weighing the container after it has been loaded and sealed. According to the second method, the weight of the load, packaging, and fixing materials is measured then added to the tare weight of the container and the total weight is calculated.
For more information, see “International Convention for the Safety of Life at SEA” of IMO:
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 (imo.org)
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