SOLAS Container Weighing Regulations - Authorities Signal End To "Light Touch" Approach

Good afternoon All

If you recall we posted a few articles here on our blog and on LinkedIn ahead of the new SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) container weighing regulations which came into effect on 1-Jul-16.

Our article on SOLAS from July

During the first 3 months the shipping lines and port operators signalled that they would adopt a light touch approach to the new laws so that exporters (and all in the supply chain) had a chance to adjust their procedures so that international trade was not disrupted.

A reasonable stance by the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) who brought about the new SOLAS regulations however we're now a few days away from a firm approach on compliance, so that means no VGM (Verified Gross Mass) declaration, and the container will be rejected. Of course some ports around the world (eg DP World at Southampton, UK) are providing weighing facilities at the port which helps immensely, but for those that don't this change to 100% compliance may see some disruption for those exporters/forwarders who haven't taken SOLAS seriously.

Lloyds Loading List Article

Time for you to check whether you, if you're an exporter are compliant, and the same applies if you're an importer - is your supplier compliant? If not, you may see delays if containers are rejected.

Kind Regards



Andy Cliff

Andy Cliff is an industry professional who launched Straightforward Consultancy Ltd (SCL) after a 30 year career in international logistics, having worked for leading logistics providers including DB Schenker, Kuehne & Nagel and DHL Global Forwarding in operational, sales and management roles. He has a unique understanding of this area and uses his knowledge and networks to dramatically improve landed cost, service and Customs compliance.

Want to learn more about what we do? Please visit our website here

Andy felt that, in an increasingly complex and confusing world of logistics, UK importers and exporters needed a company alongside them which could help them to reduce costs, lessen their workload and provide expert advice and support each day.

Latest update on Hanjin bankruptcy - US court gives go ahead to unload Hanjin vessels

Good afternoon All

The collapse of Hanjin is causing serious disruption for many importers and exporters as you may have seen on the news and our last blog post gives an in depth overview of the situation since the news last Wed 31-Aug.

We’ve just heard of some very welcome news as below.

US judge orders that ships can unload

Below please see our last blog post from yesterday with full background story.

If you import or export by ocean freight, be that LCL or FCL, you may be affected by the news that Hanjin Shipping filed for bankruptcy last Wednesday 31-Aug. Hanjin are number 7 globally so this is big news. Here's an excerpt from our LinkedIn post from last  Wednesday and we immediately wrote to forwarders involved with our customers' ocean freight movements to ascertain the exposure. I am pleased to advise that we have limited exposure and for any shipments which are caught up in this, we learned today that several LCL shipments in consolidated containers are already released so we're very satisfied with this outcome of course.

"Top 10 shipping line Hanjin files for bankruptcy after failing to secure USD 450 million cash injection. All goes to show that times are tough in the global container market, especially in the fiercely competitive Asia-Europe trade. Time to check if your freight forwarder has any cargo moving via Hanjin as creditors may seize vessels and ports may refuse to accept Hanjin vessels which may then make it difficult to take delivery of your containers/shipments. Contact your forwarder now to see if you're affected, and if so what they're doing to facilitate release"

Please be aware that your cargo could be caught up in this even if your full containers (FCL) or part containers (LCL) are moving on other shipping lines - why? Because it's common for shipping lines to share space on each others vessels. For example, you could have a shipment booked on a Hanjin contract but moving on K-Line or Yang Ming so either way, the cargo will get caught up in the bankruptcy. So what could happen? What we're hearing is that global ports are refusing to handle Hanjin ships as for example, they may be owed money for berthing and unloading charges and want to recover money whilst they have some leverage. I suggest the first thing you should do is contact your freight forwarder / logistics provider to assess what exposure you actually have - and then get a clear statement on their recovery plans.

Andy Cliff is an industry professional who launched Straightforward Consultancy Ltd (SCL) after a 30 year career in international logistics, having worked for leading logistics providers including DB Schenker, Kuehne & Nagel and DHL Global Forwarding in operational, sales and management roles. He has a unique understanding of this area and uses his knowledge and networks to dramatically improve landed cost, service and Customs compliance.

Please do visit our website here

Andy felt that, in an increasingly complex and confusing world of logistics, UK importers and exporters needed a company alongside them which could help them to reduce costs, lessen their workload and provide expert advice and support each day.

Hanjin Shipping bankruptcy - are you affected? Time to take action.

Good afternoon All

If you import or export by ocean freight, be that LCL or FCL, you may be affected by the news that Hanjin Shipping filed for bankruptcy last Wednesday 31-Aug. 

Hanjin are number 7 globally so this is big news. Here's an excerpt from our LinkedIn post from last Wednesday and we immediately wrote to forwarders involved with our customers' ocean freight movements to ascertain the exposure. 

"Top 10 shipping line Hanjin files for bankruptcy after failing to secure USD 450 million cash injection. All goes to show that times are tough in the global container market, especially in the fiercely competitive Asia-Europe trade. Time to check if your freight forwarder has any cargo moving via Hanjin as creditors may seize vessels and ports may refuse to accept Hanjin vessels which may then make it difficult to take delivery of your containers/shipments. Contact your forwarder now to see if you're affected, and if so what they're doing to facilitate release.

Lloyds Loading List article here

I am pleased to advise that we actually had limited exposure and for any customers' shipments which are caught up in this, we learned today that several LCL shipments in consolidated containers are already released so we're very satisfied with this outcome of course. You should not assume however that every freight forwarder will adopt the same approach or be able to get their containers released. 

In our case, the forwarder made a commercial decision and paid an extra USD 3000 to secure release from the port. It was a wise commercial move as they will most likely recover the money down the line but it means their customers are not faced with delays or extra costs and they showed leadership.

Please be aware that your cargo could be caught up in this even if your full containers (FCL) or part containers (LCL) are moving on other shipping lines - why? Because it's common for shipping lines to share space on each other's vessels. For example, you could have a shipment booked on a Hanjin contract but moving on K-Line or Yang Ming so either way, the cargo will get caught up in the bankruptcy. 

So what could happen? What we're hearing is that global ports are refusing to handle Hanjin ships as for example, they may be owed money for berthing and unloading charges and want to recover money whilst they have some leverage. 

I suggest the first thing you should do is contact your freight forwarder / logistics provider to assess what exposure you actually have - and then get a clear statement on their recovery plans.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

Kind Regards



Andy Cliff

Andy Cliff is an industry professional who launched Straightforward Consultancy Ltd (SCL) after a 30 year career in international logistics, having worked for leading logistics providers including DB Schenker, Kuehne & Nagel and DHL Global Forwarding in operational, sales and management roles. He has a unique understanding of this area and uses his knowledge and networks to dramatically improve landed cost, service and Customs compliance.

Please do visit our website here

Andy felt that, in an increasingly complex and confusing world of logistics, UK importers and exporters needed a company alongside them which could help them to reduce costs, lessen their workload and provide expert advice and support each day.