Overview

Since July 1st 2016, every packed container to be loaded on board of a SOLAS ship needs to have its Verified Gross Mass determined. Determining the weight can be done through Method 1 (weighing the packed container using calibrated and certified weighing equipment) or through Method 2 (calculation: container tare weight + weight of the goods; which requires a special permission). When using Method 2 it is crucial for al shippers to have access to the correct tare weight of all shipped containers.

The shipper provides the verified weight to the shipping agent, who passes it on to the carrier (who needs to balance the vessel), and to the terminal (who is not allowed to load the container without the information). Several other parties could also benefit from having the weight in their digital files, e.g. CMR documents.

By calling the VGM Tare Weight API with the correct container number both the tare weight and the container ISO code can be accessed. Our partner for this API claims a 99% coverage of the current global container fleet. The API makes that none of your employees must leave their desk to record the tare weight of a box.