Container Weighing FAQ

Q. 1. What do I do about uncontainerised or oversized cargo or direct deliveries?

Uncontainerised cargo

DP World London Gateway will not be providing a VGM for uncontainerised cargo which should be provided with an accurate gross weight in order for a lifting plan to be produced.

DP World Southampton will not be providing the VGM for uncontainerised cargo which should be provided with an accurate gross weight in order for a lifting plan to be produced.

 

Out-of-gauge/oversized cargo

DP World London Gateway can provide VGM for out-of-gauge cargo loaded on ISO flatracks using our weighbridge, but it is mandatory to check in advance with Customer Services if this facility is required, advising out of gauge dimensions and gross weight, and to ensure current availability of weighbridge.

DP World Southampton can provide VGM for out –of-gauge cargo loaded on ISO flatracks using our portable weighing beams, but it is mandatory to check in advance with our Cargo department if this facility is required, advising out of gauge dimensions and gross weight , and to ensure current availability of the weigh beams.

 

Direct deliveries

DP World London Gateway will not be providing the VGM for direct deliveries to vessel as they will be lifted from truck direct to vessel by quay crane, such cargo should be weighed elsewhere.  Only Option 1 should be selected and will apply to all direct deliveries.

DP World Southampton will not be providing the VGM for direct deliveries to vessel as they will be lifted from truck direct to vessel by quay crane, such cargo should be weighed elsewhere.  Only Option 1 should be selected and will apply to all direct deliveries.

Q. 2. I already have a VGM


If the VGM of a container has to be obtained from the shipping line or shipper, the process is less complicated for the terminal if this information is available at or before the time of in-gate. We will however allow provision of the VGM after arrival at the terminal, up to 24 hours before expected arrival of the vessel. Later receipt of the VGM will mean additional administration for the terminal and the shipping line will lack an accurate weight overview of its booking situation.  A £1.04 charge is being made to cover the administration and investment in new equipment as well as the following:

The £1.04 charge covers:
• Registration with CNS Compass and access to the new VGM functionality of CNS Compass.  
   You can  register with CNS Compass here
• Option to ‘claim’ your export containers and provide your VGM for each container direct to the terminal, if not done through the shipping line.
• Processing of all VGM data to the relevant parties including the shipping line
• Changes to our IT systems to prevent containers without VGM to be loaded on board.
• Regular checks and VGM reporting as requested by the MCA
• Even if the terminal did not provide a direct weighing service for shippers, we have to invest to ensure compliance with the new SOLAS regulations and this charge is intended to recover this investment and the recurring costs.

Q. 3. You have not informed us that you require a VGM 24 hours before the vessel arrival

If containers are still without VGM 24 hours before the vessel arrival, the TVGM will be assigned to those containers. This means that latest 24 hours before arrival, the shipping lines will have an accurate overview of all individual weights of the containers which have arrived at the terminal.
 

Q. 4. You require a VGM for containers arriving after the 24 hour vessel arrival cut-off

If a shipper VGM is expected, but not provided by the vessel cut-off time (24 hrs before vessel arrival) and not provided prior to the container arrival, the charge will be: £3.10 (VGM after gate) + £18.20

 

Q. 5. How will you weigh the containers ? Will this be certificated ?

DP World London Gateway has equipped our Automated Stacking Cranes with specialist weighing equipment, which is being certified to meet the required standards with a suitable maintenance programme to ensure we are fully compliant. In addition, a fully certified weighbridge will be available for containers (except Direct Delivery) that are not able to be handled by our Automated Stacking Cranes.
DP World Southampton will be equipping our straddle carrier fleet with specialist weighing equipment, this will be certified to meet the required standards with a suitable maintenance programme to ensure we are fully compliant.
 

Q. 6. When will this take place and how long will it take?

The weighing process is integrated within our normal operations and will not impact on our road/rail operations at either DP World London Gateway or DP World Southampton.
 

Q. 7. Will this be operational 24 /7 ?

Please refer to the normal landside operational hours for each terminal.


At DP World London Gateway, landside operations receive export containers from Sunday 1800 to Saturday 1800, and Sunday 0600 to Sunday 1400, our cranes will be available to weigh containers throughout that period.


At DP World Southampton, landside operations receive export containers from Sunday 1900 until Saturday 1500, our straddles will be available to weigh containers throughout that period.

Q. 8. Will this be a public service?

No, this will only be applicable to laden export containers being loaded on board of vessels at DP World London Gateway and DP World London Southampton.

Q. 9. Who will you be charging?

DP World London Gateway or DP World Southampton will charge the party who either provided the VGM via CNS; or if DP World London Gateway or DP World Southampton  have been asked to provide a VGM then the charges will be passed to either shipper, freight-forwarder, agent or shipping line based on the details attached to that booking. (See How will you bill me?)

Q. 10. What happens if there is a discrepancy with the provided weight?

In the event that a shipper, freight-forwarder, agent or shipping line provides a VGM and there is a difference of more than 500 kg or 5%  with the weight reading taken by DP World London Gateway or DP World Southampton equipment, then the Terminal determined Verified Gross Mass will be used and  a misdeclaration fee of £ 10.40 will be applied on top of our normal weighing fee, for providing inaccurate information. (See How will you bill me? - Pricing exceptions)

Q. 11. What documentation will be required to receive containers at the port ? Do you know how you want the weights communicated to you if containers are weighed externally?

A shipper, freight-forwarder, agent or shipping line will be given access to our Community System (shared by DP World London Gateway and DP World Southampton), which provides the user with a solution to enter the information electronically. We will not be able to accept paper certificates at our gates. Please liaise with your shipping line or forwarder to determine what situation will apply to you. (See What next?)

Q. 12. Will DP World have this facility at any other ports in Europe or its global portfolio ?

We expect that most DP World managed ports in Europe will either be able to provide the VGM service, or if not, they will be able to advise where a VGM can be obtained in that respective country.  Please contact the customer service department of the relevant DP World managed container terminal.

 

Q. 13. I don’t have access to the Community System? What will that cost?

Agents and Freight Forwarders with an existing badge code for CNS Compass will be able to access the VGM functionality in CNS Compass. Shippers who want to use the functionality for the verified gross mass need a one-time registration with CNS Compass to have access to this functionality. The costs are covered by the weighing fees mentioned in this document.

Q. 14. When do you plan to start this operation?

DP World London Gateway and DP World Southampton will be ready for vessels being loaded on or after 1st July 2016.

Q. 15. Is there a hard copy certificate?

All VGM certification will be provided electronically via CNS and it will be possible run a report in CNS.

Q. 16. Will my container be allowed onto the terminal without a VGM?

Yes. However the Terminal determined Verified Gross Mass will be used if we haven't received your VGM 24 hours before the vessel arrival. (How will it work?)

Q. 17. How will I be told if I have a VGM or it is correct?

We will not confirm if your VGM is correct. Only if the terminal identifies that a VGM provided differs by more than 500 kg or 5% from the terminal provided VGM will this be communicated via CNS and the misdeclaration fee applied.

Q. 18. Will you be changing any of your operational procedures or cut off times to allow for the additional weighing and to accommodate SOLAS?

No. The container weighing solution is fully integrated with normal operational procedures. All containers are weighed on arrival at the terminals so additional weighing should not be deemed necessary. Unless the cargo is oversized, see question 1 above.

Q. 19. Are there any containers the ports will not be able to provide a VGM for?

DP World London Gateway and DP World Southampton will not be able to provide a VGM for any containers which are designated Direct Delivery eg IMO Class 1 or class 7 containers.