Here’s what the June 21st edition of Port Technology highlighted: “ESC calls plans to introduce weighing of containers ‘superfluous and hardly feasible'”.

“The European Shippers Council (ESC) has called plans to introduce mandatory weighing of containers as unnecessary and impractical. According to the ESC, stricter International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulation on the declaration of container weights ‘will not solve the safety issues in container transport’, and plans to do so are ‘superfluous and hardly feasible’.

“Earlier this week, the IMO received a formal proposal in support of the stricter rulings from a number of key maritime organizations, including the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the World Shipping Council (WSC). In a statement, the ESC said that ‘from reports of relatively recent accidents it has become clear that something needs to be done about the safety standards in container transport at sea and on land.’

“However, the ESC’s concern now is that the discussion is entirely focused on a relatively small risk factor, when it comes down to the safety of container transport, namely misdeclared container weights.

“‘Instead of focusing on improving the much more important causes mentioned in the reports, like lacking procedures for lashing, ship maintenance and stowing, the maritime industry pleads for stricter regulation on container weights at shippers’ premises. Shippers believe this is a false remedy for an ill-defined disease’. Additionally the ESC says that it has concerns as to whether the IMO is the appropriate body to regulate container safety.

“ESC’s representative said that they are working together with labor unions and other parties in the maritime industry to get the voluntary UNECE/ILO guidelines for container stuffing updated as soon as possible. According to the ESC, it is this institution that should take the lead in improving the quality of container stuffing and possibly prescribe legislation on the issue. Poor stuffing is a problem for all modes of transport, not solely the maritime industry.

“Finally, the ESC points out that IMO’s SOLAS regulation already holds a requirement which states that shippers should declare the weight of their containers correctly. Adding another one to it will not solve the issue of misdeclared weights.

“‘We admit that misdeclaration of weights needs our attention, but oppose the idea that it’s the biggest threat to the safety of workers in the supply chain. If the sector is truly looking for a safer supply chain all parties should take their responsibility,’ said the ESC.” –

Tsk, tsk. We’ve repeatedly stressed the advantages and efficiencies of our shipboard and container terminal racking systems. Our systems eliminate any possibility of “misdeclaration” because our slots electronically weigh the containers – and the maritime brain trust still doesn’t get it!