At DP World Southampton, London Container Terminal and London Gateway, the container will be subject to a VGM hold inCompass until a VGM weight has been supplied (either SLVGM or TLVGM).

For all terminals, we suggest the Shipping Lines use the Full Manifest report against the appropriate export voyage to see whether a VGM has been applied and a VGM billing account has been set.

There are several ways you can receive confirmation of the terminal VGM (TLVGM).

• A VERMAS will be issued to the Shipping Line and VGM Billing A/C –
• if the Terminal weigh the container on your behalf
• if no SLVGM has been supplied by VGM cut-off
• if the TLVGM is used due to the 5% discrepancy

A Shipping Line will also get confirmation of the terminal VGM (TVGM) in the following instances –

• If SLVGM has been provided, prior to arrival, VGM details will be included within their CODECO (Gate-In) message
• VGM details will also be included within the COARRI (Load) message – of course, container will not be loaded if a VGM has not been supplied
• When TLVGM is being used (VERMAS)

Yes. When the VGM Billing A/C has updated the VGM details into CNS Compass the Shipping Line will receive a VERMAS message.

To allow the terminal operators to plan the vessels correctly with the right information, the VGM must be supplied 24 hours prior tovessel arrival. If VGM details have not been applied at this point and the container is arrived, then the terminal will automatically use the terminal VGM (TLVGM).

Therefore, against each vessel the terminal will assign a VGM cut-off date and time. Once this date has past and depending on theunit status this will determine what you are allow to input or amend.

Within the VGM Details screen, please select your VGM Weighing Option

1. VGM will be provided (SLVGM)
2. Terminal to Weigh and provide VGM (TLVGM)

If option 1 is selected, please enter your VGM details into the Shipping Line VGM field, Authorised person and Reference. Any associated information can also be applied within this screen.

If option 2 is selected, you will also need to enter Authorised person and Reference.

Please note: You will also need to accept the Terms and Conditions before submitting this information.

Yes. The overall control of the container will be with the Shipping Line therefore, they can provide, amend and request a terminal to weigh a container but charges will be issued to the VGM Billing A/C.

I am the VGM Billing A/C where do I enter my VGM details? 20

Within the VGM Details screen, please select your VGM Weighing Option

1. VGM will be provided (SLVGM)
2. Terminal to Weigh and provide VGM (TLVGM)

If option 1 is selected, please enter your VGM details into the Shipping Line VGM field, Authorised person and Reference. Any associated information can also be applied within this screen.

If option 2 is selected, you will also need to enter Authorised person and Reference.

Please note: You will also need to accept the Terms and Conditions before submitting this information.

Please email [email protected] advising the CNS helpdesk of your query (please include the container number) and they will check your details and amend, if required.

Please liaise directly with your Shipping Line to ensure this information is corrected.

No. When supplying VGM details they must be applied against a container number.

Booking references and their associated container numbers often change so it could lead to a discrepancy with your weight details.

Therefore, if VGM weight information is supplied to a Booking reference, this information could be removed when a containernumber is applied or amended. The container number amendments will not affect the VGM option you have selected.

A Shipping Line can nominate a Booking reference to you (prior to a container number being assigned) and this will allow youaccess to the VGM details. To search for Booking references please use the Unit Search option under the Maritime Export menu.

It is worth noting a Booking reference is not used operationally by the terminals. This means no VGM details are issued to the terminal until a container number is assigned.

Any containers you have not nominated will automatically be for your account. Please ensure you use valid CNS Organisation codeswithin your COPARN message (when nominating to a VGM Billing A/C) as we will not be rejecting (if invalid) but leaving this field blank.

On vessel departure we will also be issuing an auto-report to the Shipping Lines stating which containers have had VGM detailsapplied but no VGM Billing A/C set. This report is for information only as these details cannot be changed once a container has loaded.

You will get any associated VGM charges if you have self-nominated an export laden container.

If a Shipping Line has nominated a container to your CNS organisation code you will receive notification this has been completedand any associated VGM charges will be for your account.

If you self-nominate a container the Shipping Line will receive notification that you are taking the associated VGM charges.

This depends if your Shipping Line have nominated the charges to your CNS organisation code or if you have self-nominated a container.

You will be charged monthly by CNS on behalf of our terminals. This means you must be a CNS contracted customer, otherwise the charges will automatically default to your Shipping Line.

Please check the individual terminal’s website for the latest fee information.

If you only require access to the VGM functionality within CNS Compass there will be no administration fees for this as it is covered within the terminal weighing fees.

When submitting your VGM information you are required to supply the Verified Gross Mass, Authorised person and reference.

For DP World Southampton, London Container Terminal and London Gateway you can request them to weigh your laden container on arrival.

There are a number of ways to request a terminal VGM

• Shipping Lines can request the terminal to weigh through EDI
• Shipping Lines can request the terminal to weigh through the CNS Compass application
• Shippers / Agents / Forwarders (VGM Billing A/C) can request the terminal to weigh through the CNS Compass application

Agents and Freight Forwarders with an existing badge code for CNS Compass will be able to access the VGM functionality in CNSCompass. 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.

CNS offers a solution for declaring a VGM at our container terminals with an electronic pre- notification for each laden export container.

There are several ways to supply the VGM depending on your requirements.

• Shipping Lines can declare the VGM through EDI
• Shipping Lines can provide VGM through the CNS Compass application
• Shippers / Agents / Forwarders (VGM Billing A/C) can provide VGM through the CNS Compass application

Agents and Freight Forwarders with an existing badge code for CNS Compass will be able to access the VGM functionality in CNSCompass.

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.

Yes. All packed containers need a declared VGM to be loaded on to a vessel. Your cargo will not be loaded without one.

The terminal operator is not authorised to load your container to a vessel without a declared VGM.

No. The SOLAS regulations prescribe two methods by which the Shipper may obtain the VGM of a packed container.

Method 1: Weighing the packed container using calibrated and certified weighing equipment (e.g. weighbridges, load cell sensing technologies etc.)

Method 2: Weighing all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other securing material to be packed in the container and adding the tare mass of the container to the sum of the single masses, using the certified method approved by theUK competent authority, (that is the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) or its authorised body).

It is the Shipper’s responsibility to provide the VGM information.

The Verified Gross Mass requirement was introduced in 2016 by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as part of the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations. In the UK, these regulations are enforced and overseen by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).