New Zealand’s exporters will soon be asked to face up to the logistics reality of having to physically weigh export containers – or at least accurately calculate the weight – in order to have their cargoes accepted on board a ship.
The change comes about as a result of a landmark agreement by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) that mandatory container checks are to be introduced globally. New Zealand will comply with the rule changes, which will enter into force on 1st July 2016.
Now the IMO have made its decision, the focus is on what are the best methods for verifying weight. New Zealand exporters need to prepare for the introduction of the new system, in particular an agreement on the definition of “certified and approved method”. Failure to develop approved systems and processes will result in unnecessary delays and costs across the supply chain.