John W. Butler, president and CEO of the World Shipping Council, gave testimony about container weighing before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. He explained the confusion that has arisen around the new safety of life at sea (SOLAS) container weighing regulations, and he concludes that there is no need to delay implementation of the regulations beyond July 1.
He said the regulation will enhance not only the safety of container ships, seafarers, shore side workers, cargo and equipment, but also will reduce the supply chain delays and administrative and legal costs that result from misdeclared containers. “It is 2016, and it is past time that everyone in the marine supply chain knows the accurate weight of the loaded containers that are moving this nation’s international trade. The amended SOLAS regulation will provide that information,” he said.
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