If the terminal is instructed to determine the verified gross mass (VGM) of the containers, this weight and our signature are communicated electronically to the shipping lines through CNS Compass, shortly after arrival of the container at the terminals.If it is indicated that the shipper will provide the VGM and this information is not available on arrival of the container at the terminals, we will await for this information to be provided up to maximum 24 hours before berthing of the export vessel.If the shipper has not provided the VGM 24 hours before the expected arrival of the vessel the terminal determined VGM will be used to plan the vessel.To comply with the SOLAS regulations and the enforcement tolerance threshold of the MCA, the terminal determined VGM will also be used if there is a discrepancy of more than 900 kg or 5% (whichever is larger) with the VGM provided by the shipper.

If the VGM of a container has to be obtained from the shipping line or shipper, it helps the efficiency of 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.Refer to our current tariff for the additional charge applicable if no VGM has been received 24 hours before the expected arrival of the vessel.The charge covers:Registration with CNS Compass and access to the new VGM functionality of CNS Compass. You can register with CNS Compass here https://www.cnsonline.co.uk/home/#/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.

Container Weighing Services At London Gateway

CUSTOMER ENQUIRIES

CONTAINER
WEIGHING

DP World London Gateway provides the UK’s quickest fully integrated container weighing solution for exporters. All export containers must have a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) declared before they are loaded on board vessels.

Why must my container be weighed?

Under SOLAS regulations, every laden export container must have its weight verified before it is loaded onto a ship. The shipper is responsible for providing the VGM of a container regardless of who actually packs it.

Please note: These arrangements are subject to changes to the Marine Guidance Note MGN534 and subsequent publications from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

container weighing pexels-simon-r-minshall-1673444001-28438290

Use DP World or Self-Service

Those shippers choosing to provide their own certified weight need to ensure that the VGM is communicated sufficiently in advance to be used in preparation of the vessels stowage plan. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has issued a guidance note on the implementation of the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations.

Find out More About MGN 534

HOW DOES IT WORK?

We provide shippers with a seamless service when exporting goods through our UK container terminals.

The container weighing process

You can either Instruct DP World to weigh your container for you at the terminal.
OR Provide DP World with a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) according to the issued certificate; find out more in the FAQs below.

CNS Compass is the port community system for DP World London Gateway. Once you are registered with CNS Compass, you will find helpful documents, guides and video tutorials to explain how you can either instruct DP World to weigh your container or provide DP World with a VGM.

Go to CNS Compass

1. Before your container arrives

Through the Port Community System CNS Compass, the shipping line will provide our terminals with an electronic pre-notification of each laden export container, indicating amongst others the container number, port of discharge and export voyage.

Your shipping line or your nominated agent must declare via CNS Compass whether we will receive a VGM from the shipper or that the terminal is requested to determine the VGM of the container on arrival (Terminal determined VGM or TVGM).

If you are a CNS Compass user, and or the nominated agent,
for more detailed information on logging your VGM requirements.

2. When your container arrives

We provide a seamless service and container weighing solutions are fully integrated. All hauliers should proceed to the terminal as normal. Your truck and box will be processed as per standard operational procedures.

3. Weighing the container

We will determine the VGM by using load cells on our straddle carriers, in accordance with the requirements of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

4. VGM Process

If the terminal is instructed to determine the verified gross mass (VGM) of the containers, this weight and our signature are communicated electronically to the shipping lines through CNS Compass, shortly after arrival of the container at the terminals.
If it is indicated that the shipper will provide the VGM and this information is not available on arrival of the container at the terminals, we will await for this information to be provided up to maximum 24 hours before berthing of the export vessel.
If the shipper has not provided the VGM 24 hours before the expected arrival of the vessel the terminal determined VGM will be used to plan the vessel.
To comply with the SOLAS regulations and the enforcement tolerance threshold of the MCA, the terminal determined VGM will also be used if there is a discrepancy of more than 900 kg or 5% (whichever is larger) with the VGM provided by the shipper.

COSTS & BILLING

A breakdown of fees and the VGM payment process

How much does it cost?

DP World has made substantial investments to facilitate the weighing of containers without impacting on the efficiency of our operational processes.

We will also continue to invest in the maintenance of our equipment to ensure that our weighing solutions are fully compliant with the regulations as published by the MCA.

How will you bill me?

Billing for container weighing takes place through the VGM process with our port community system CNS Compass.

Shipping lines will be able to assign a code* for the export booking agent or shipper in the port community system CNS Compass, similar to the clearance agent for import containers.

The shipper or agent must be a contracted customer of CNS.

If shippers do not have an existing badge with CNS Compass they can register for a VGM only badge with limited functionality related to the VGM of containers. The costs of such a VGM only badge are covered by the charges mentioned above.

*The fees for container weighing/VGM declarations will be charged to the nominated party unless this code is not filled in, in which case the charge defaults to the shipping line, who will pass the charge on.

Apply for your CNS account here

WHAT DO I NEED
TO DO NEXT?

Cargo owner
exporter

Please contact your nominated shipping agent or freight forwarder to instruct them to ask DP World to weigh your containers or determine how you will obtain a VGM and ensure they communicate this to DP World via our CNS Compass system.

Shipping agent/
freight forwarder

Please ensure that you have a valid CNS Compass access licence and that you are familiar with the process for logging VGM.

Haulier

No additional actions are required. Your truck and box will be processed as per normal operational procedures.

ABOUT CNS

CNS is a wholly owned subsidiary of DP World.
DP World UK container weighing solutions are provided through CNS Compass.

Visit CNS

Driving day-to-day trade

CNS provides services to the air and maritime logistics industries facilitating trade through EU frontiers.

As a Customs approved Community System Provider (CSP) with direct connections to CHIEF and UK ICS, CNS's solutions provide processes that enable regulatory compliance, customs release and the efficient movement of cargo through the supply chain.

CNS's systems are at the heart of the process, facilitating the electronic handling of all import and export information, ensuring that the right people have the right facts at their fingertips.

Smart, real-time information

It provides for electronic handling of all import and export information.
It enables regulatory compliance and Customs clearance.
It exchanges 55 million EDI messages per year with customers and government agencies.
It allows freight forwarders and logistics operators to monitor the progress of their clients’ cargo, arrange pick-up and delivery of consignments, and move goods between locations.
This is an area where close cooperation really counts. CNS Compass is seamlessly integrated with our terminal operating systems.

Container Weighing FAQs

What do I do about un-containerised or oversized cargo or direct deliveries?

Uncontainerised cargo
DP World London Gateway will not be providing a VGM for un-containerised 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’s Project Cargo Team will provide a VGM for out-of-gauge cargo loaded on ISO flat-racks at London Gateway using its weighbridge unless the cargo weight exceeds 30 tonnes. If cargo weight exceeds 30 tonnes, then a shipper VGM must be applied.

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.

I already have a VGM

If the VGM of a container has to be obtained from the shipping line or shipper, it helps the efficiency of 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.

Refer to our current tariff for the additional charge applicable if no VGM has been received 24 hours before the expected arrival of the vessel.

The charge covers:

Registration with CNS Compass and access to the new VGM functionality of CNS Compass. You can register with CNS Compass here https://www.cnsonline.co.uk/home/#/
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.

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 to safely plan the stability of the vessels.

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

Please refer to our tariff VGM after gate to see the additional costs that will be charged.

How will you weigh the containers? Will this be certified?

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.

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.

Will this be operational 24/7?

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.

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.

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?)

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 (TVGM) will be used and a misdeclaration fee as per our tariff will be applied on top of our normal weighing fee, for providing inaccurate information. (See How will you bill me? - Pricing exceptions)

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.

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

All DP World managed ports in Europe will either be able to provide the VGM service. Please contact the customer service department of the relevant DP World managed container terminal.

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.

When did container weighing become mandatory requirement under Maritime Law?

DP World London Gateway and DP World Southampton introduced our container weighing solution on 1st July 2016.

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.

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?)

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.

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, in which case please see question 1 above.

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.

Dp World crane lifting container at busy port terminal

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DP WORLD LONDON GATEWAY CONTAINER WEIGHING