DP World is the first container operator to officially unveil its plans to provide UK exporters with a fully integrated container weighing service.

DP World’s two UK terminals, DP World London Gateway and DP World Southampton launched a dedicated website containerweighing.dpworld.co.uk to provide shippers with all the information they will need to prepare for the new international SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea)  legislation that comes into force worldwide on 1 July 2016. 

The global operator has worked alongside the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency and invested in container weighing services at its UK facilities to ensure that British businesses can continue trading when landmark legislation starts in July which could have had a major impact on the supply chain.

The new worldwide legislation requires that shippers need to determine the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of each laden export container before it is loaded onto a ship.   

DP World has invested in weighing solutions on its automated stacking cranes at DP World London Gateway and has installed new weighing equipment on straddle carriers at DP World Southampton.

“The service being provided at both DP World’s UK terminals is fully integrated into our existing operations,” said Chris Lewis, UK Managing Director, DP World.  

“We have made a significant investment in both ports to ensure our equipment will meet the MCA rules for accurate weighing.  Our solution does not cause any delays in the supply chain, is scalable to weigh all export containers if required and does not rely on hauliers having to enter the weights of their trucks and trailers as would be necessary at ports which use weighbridges.  Our solution is seamless,” he added.