MSC: 'One in four containers not in line with declared weight'

23% of containers checked by shipping company MSC in the first six months of the year were not in compliance with HSE and SOLAS regulations (HSE stands for Verified Gross Mass and SOLAR for Safety Of Life At Sea). The declared weight of the containers did not match the B/L – weight. Both the administrative check of 4,300 containers according to Method 1 (where the full container is weighed and the weight weighed, is the VGM weight) and Method 2 (where all weights (cargo, packaging, lashing & securing material, container, and so on) are added up) reveal discrepancies. Method 1 accounts for the largest number of discrepancies.