Global Shippers’ Forum warns of VGM fee abuse

The new container weighing regulations introduced to enhance maritime safety and reduce the dangers to containerships, their crews and all those involved throughout the maritime supply chain have been welcomed by the
the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF), but it now has voiced new concerns about fees.

Regrettably GSF members - mainly in Asia and Africa - report that some carriers and other “service providers” appear to be exploiting the introduction of the new SOLAS VGM rules by imposing exorbitant and unjustified charges for questionable and unspecified “administration fees” and other “services.”

The GSF is calling for those charges to be withdrawn immediately.

“Shippers worldwide support the safety goals of the container weighing requirements and are committed to fulfilling their regulatory requirements, but this should not be used by supply chain partners as an excuse to impose unjustified fees,” said Chris Welsh, GSF Secretary-General.

“This is particularly concerning for developing countries, especially in Africa and Oceania, which according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) pay 40 to 70 per cent more on average for the international transport of their imports than developed countries (UNCTAD Maritime Report, 2015),” Welsh added.