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FAQs

Container Weighing

FAQs

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

A: 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.

DP World Southampton will not be providing the 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 can provide VGM for out-of-gauge cargo loaded on ISO flat-racks using our weighbridge, but it is mandatory to check in advance with Customer Services if this facility is required, advising out of gauge dimensions and gross weight, and to ensure current availability of weighbridge.

DP World Southampton can provide VGM for out –of-gauge cargo loaded on ISO flat-racks using our portable weighing beams, but it is mandatory to check in advance with our Cargo department if this facility is required, advising out of gauge dimensions and gross weight , and to ensure current availability of the weigh beams.

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.

DP World Southampton 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.

A: 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

A: 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.

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

A: 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.

DP World Southampton has equipped its straddle carrier fleet with specialist weighing equipment, this is certified to meet the required standards with a suitable maintenance programme to ensure we are fully compliant.

A: 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.

A: Please refer to the normal landside operational hours for each terminal.

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.

At DP World Southampton, landside operations receive export containers from Sunday 1900 until Saturday 1500, our straddles will be available to weigh containers throughout that period.

A: 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.

A: 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?)

A: 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)

A: 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. (See What next?)

A: 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.

A: 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.

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

A: All VGM certification will be provided electronically via CNS and it will be possible run a report in CNS.

A: 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?)

A: 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.

A: 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, see question 1 above.

A: DP World London Gateway and DP World Southampton will not be able to provide a VGM for any containers which are designated Direct Delivery.