The Company of Master Mariners of India’s (CMMI) conference ‘Safe Containers – Steering Changes’ held at the Lalit, Mumbai on December 10, 2015 deliberated on the various aspects of how the maritime and logistics sectors need to be ready for a smooth transition to the new regime.
Misdeclaration of container weights is directly linked to the losses suffered in the form of life and assets, as well as commercial losses. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) last year adopted amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) placing a mandatory requirement on the shipper of a packed container to provide its gross verified weight to the ocean carrier and port terminal prior to it being loaded onto a ship which comes into effect on July 1, 2016.
The representatives of ports, terminals, shipping lines, Customs, shippers, CFS operators, logistics firms, weighing equipment manufacturer and the maritime administration deliberated. It was stressed that all have to work together to be ready in a pragmatic, implementable and cost-effective manner for the new regime by the time it comes into effect.
One-third of container weights are mis-declared. With the right regulation and a plan of action, the past mistakes will not be repeated and the vessel and crew will be protected. The process has to be less bureaucratic so as not to increase the cost to the exporter.
Mr Rajeev Tandon, Principal Commissioner of Customs, said Customs will be playing an important role in the implementation of the new regime.
CMMI is a professional body to promote the fraternity of Master Mariners in supporting and strengthening their role in the maritime industry. It has 13 chapters pan-India.
Source: Exim India
