From 1 July, the weight of a container needs to be verified before it can be loaded onto a ship. The Dutch Government has chosen a flexible scheme that allows companies that want to make use of a certified calculation method to follow a simple procedure.
By following the procedure, a company may automatically use the so-called method 2, which means they do not need separate certifications, such as AEO or ISO certifications, or meet other additional requirements, says the Port of Rotterdam Authority on its website.
Under the SOLAS amendments, there are two permissible methods for weighing:
- Method 1 requires weighing the container after it has been packed, or
- Method 2 requires weighing all the cargo and contents of the container and adding those weights to the container’s tare weight as indicated on the door end of the container.
At first it was said that only companies holding AEO or ISO certifications would be allowed to use method 2.
