Bangladesh maritime regulator, the department of shipping (DoS) has cancelled the permission of Nemson Container Ltd, BM Container Depot Ltd, and Eastern Logistics Ltd, which conduct Verified of Gross Mass (VGM) in the off docks, due to their violation of the requirements of SOLAS convention and the DoS guidelines.
“Due to complete violation of the requirements of SOLAS convention and DoS guidelines regarding VGM of packed container for shipping cargo, your permission to carry out the VGM using Method-1 is hereby cancelled,” the DoS said in a letter earlier in the week and requested all concerned not to allow any container VGM certified by the three companies.
The strict enforcement of VGM came into light in August last year, when the 1,700TEU OEL Hin lost balance just before departure from Chittagong, due to the wrong placement of containers.
At the moment, 32 companies have approval from the DoS to work in inland container depots with machines and providing certificates after weighing containers and a two-member committee has been formed to investigate whether these companies engaged in carrying out VGM in ICDs working properly or not.
“If they found non-compliant their licenses will be cancelled,” Principal Officer at the Mercantile Marine Office, Giashuddin Ahmed, pointed out.
Ruhul Amin Sikder, secretary of Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), said the VGM permission cancellation of the companies will create problems since these depots handle a large volume of export cargo each month.
He added that BICDA is informed that the companies will submit the papers again on 18 July to the DoS seeking permission.
Sharar Nayel
Bangladesh Correspondent
