Editing SOLAS Convention (section)

===Container weight regulation, 2015===
In 2015, the SOLAS Container Weight Verification Regulation VI/2 amended SOLAS.<ref>{{cite web|title=IMO Requirement For Container Weight Verification|url=http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/cargo-weight|publisher=[[International Maritime Organization]]|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-date=18 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518041147/http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/cargo-weight|url-status=dead}}</ref> This regulation, implemented by the [[International Maritime Organization#Maritime Safety Committee|IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)]], requires that the full (gross) weight of all loaded containers must be obtained prior to being loaded on board an ocean vessel. Weight can be calculated either by weighing the loaded container or weighing the cargo elements and packaging and adding this weight to the unladen container weight.<ref>[https://www.cma-cgm.com/assets/public/pdf/SOLAS_VGM___Industry_FAQs_Dec_2015_US_letter_WEB.PDF Verified Gross Mass: Industry FAQs], complied by TT Club and other partners, December 2015, accessed 11 May 2024</ref> Communicating a weight value has incurred a need to introduce a new [[Electronic data interchange|Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)]] communication protocol called VGM (Verified Gross Mass) or VERMAS (Verification of Mass), and involves cooperation between [[List of freight ship companies|ocean carriers]], [[Freight forwarder|freight forwarders/NVOCCs]], EDI providers as well as exporters. The regulation states that [[Export|exporters (shippers)]] are ultimately responsible for obtaining a verified container weight.<ref>{{cite web |title= MSC 94th Session Summary of SOLAS Container Weight Requirements |url= http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/WSC_Summarizes_the_Basic_Elements_of_the_SOLAS_Container_Weight_Verification_Requirement___January_2015_-3-.pdf |access-date= 3 June 2016 |archive-date= 22 October 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161022140908/http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/WSC_Summarizes_the_Basic_Elements_of_the_SOLAS_Container_Weight_Verification_Requirement___January_2015_-3-.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> Originally scheduled for implementation on 1 July 2016,<ref>{{cite web|title=IMO Implementation and Action Dates Including SOLAS|url=http://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/Action-Dates.aspx|publisher=[[International Maritime Organization]]|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604234210/http://www.imo.org/en/About/conventions/pages/action-dates.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> the regulation allowed for flexibility and practical refinement until 1 October 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title= IMO MSC.1/Circular 1548 ADVICE TO ADMINISTRATIONS, PORT STATE CONTROL AUTHORITIES, COMPANIES, PORT TERMINALS AND MASTERS REGARDING THE SOLAS REQUIREMENTS FOR VERIFIED GROSS MASS OF PACKED CONTAINERS |url= http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/container/Documents/MSC.1Circ.1548%20Advice.pdf |publisher= [[International Maritime Organization]] |access-date= 3 June 2016 |archive-date= 7 June 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160607073009/http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/container/Documents/MSC.1Circ.1548%20Advice.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>

An up-to-date list of amendments to SOLAS is maintained by the IMO.