What do you mean by Shipping Term Verified Gross Mass or VGM
The ocean shipping industry has implemented a new requirement that shippers of each vessel-bound consignment provide a Verified Gross Mass or VGM prior to shipment. Verified gross mass (VGM) is the total weight of a shipping container. For Less than Container Load (LCL) shippers, VGM must include the weight of the cargo, including the mass of pallets, dunnage, and other securing materials such as wires and cables. For Full Container Load (FCL), VGM must include the weight of the container and all of its contents.
The new regulation was adopted by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) to increase maritime safety and reduce the dangers to cargo, containers, and all those involved in container transport throughout the supply chain. SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) requires the shipper to provide VGM in a shipping document, either as part of the shipping instruction or in a separate communication, before vessel loading.
The SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulation allows for two methods to verify the gross mass of packed containers. The methods are as follows,
1. Weighing the packed container using calibrated and certified equipment; or
2: Weighing all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other securing material to be packed in the container and adding the tare mass of the container to the sum of the single masses, using a certified method approved by the competent authority of the State in which packing of the container was completed.