It will significantly improve the safety of containerships and their crews
The decision by the International Maritime Organization to consider the problem of misdeclared container weights has been warmly welcomed by shipowners, although no agreement has been reached about whether to move towards a mandatory regime.
The World Shipping Council and International Chamber of Shipping have been waging a long campaign to ensure shippers provide accurate information about the weight and contents of containers, both of which pose a danger if incorrect.
The decision of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee to solve the problem of misdeclared container weights will significantly improve the safety of containerships, their crews, shoreside personnel involved in the handling and transport of containers, and other cargo aboard the ship, the WSC and ICS said in a joint statement.
