The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is helping shippers get to grips with new global regulations for verifying container weights with a free one-hour briefing session in London this month.

The briefing is open to all shippers, both FTA members and non- members, and will cover all aspects of the new rules that come into force on 1 July including the latest information from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the ports sector.

The session follows a members-only British Shippers’ Council meeting and will take place on 14 April. Topics to be covered include:

• Guidance from MCA on the shipper accreditation scheme • FTA consultancy service • Latest intelligence on ports’ offer to shippers • Q&A session

Amendments to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention require packed shipping containers to have a verified gross mass (VGM) before they can be loaded on a ship for export. The amendments were adopted by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) to enhance maritime safety and reduce the dangers to container ships, their crews and all those involved throughout the supply chain.

Alex Veitch, FTA’s Head of Global Policy, said: “With the deadline for container weight verification requirements fast approaching, it is important for shippers to check whether they are affected. This FTA briefing will provide shippers with all the information they need to ensure compliance, and will show how FTA can support them.”
The briefing takes place on Thursday 14 April from 1330-1430, immediately after the British Shippers’ Council meeting, and is for shippers only. Spaces are limited - please contact Sue Darrington by email at sdarrington@fta.co.uk to reserve a place.