PHA’s latest update regarding SOLAS/VGM
We are pleased to provide information shared by the PHA on processes at Barbours Cut Terminal (BCT) and Bayport Container Terminal (Bayport) effective July 1, 2016 for:
⢠Handling and weighing containers; and
⢠Assisting with the management of SOLAS Regulation VI/2 (SOLAS), which will require as of July 1,
2016 that shippers provide export container VGMs to the vessel master and terminal representative.
1.  Background.
a. PHA currently provides management, labor, gate infrastructure, and technology solutions for
processing and handling containers at BCT and Bayport. PHA licenses Navis N4 software as its
Terminal Operating System (TOS) to manage gate, yard, vessel, EDI messages, and billing events.
b. For many years PHA has transmitted the gross container weight of export loads received into
its terminals through the truck in-gate process to ocean carriers via industry-standard EDI 322
messages. PHA also transmits the same gross container weights to vessels via the industry-standard
BAPLIE electronic file. PHAâs TOS provides these capabilities.
⢠Navis, PHA, other marine terminal operators using Navis software, and ocean carriers calling
BCT and Bayport have developed additional capabilities within the existing EDI and BAPLIE sets to
accommodate VGM messaging, in anticipation of the July 1, 2016 SOLAS effective date.
2.  PHAâs SOLAS Process.
a. When a truck transporting a container arrives at the terminal gate, the gross weight of the
truck power unit (tractor), container, and intermodal chassis will be obtained, using scales
calibrated in accordance with applicable requirements.
b. The TOS will calculate gross container weight data by subtracting information on the chassis
weight and tractor weight from the gross weight obtained at the gate.
⢠Information on tractor weight and chassis weight may be derived from (i) standard, average
weights for tractor and chassis; (ii) weights previously registered in the TOS; (iii) weights
provided at the gate by the truck driver; or (iv) weights stenciled or placarded on the equipment.
c. PHAâs TOS will then transmit the gross container weight data directly to the vessel operator via
a standard BAPLIE electronic file, for use in stowage planning.
⢠PHA understands that the U.S. Coast Guard has determined that this gross container
weight data would be equivalent to the VGM under SOLAS. See:
https://www.uscg.mil/msib/docs/009_16_4-28-2016.pdf
⢠The gross container weight, so derived and transmitted, is obtained on behalf of the shipper, but
neither the shipper nor the terminal operator signs any document or electronic message accompanying
the transmission.
⢠On June 28th, PHA staff will seek Port Commission approval of new tariff subrules that state that
a shipper is deemed to appoint the PHA as its agent for the purpose of weighing the container and
supplying this gross container weight data, which the shipper is deemed to accept, represent, and
designate as the VGM.
d. Shippers will not be required to designate PHAâs gross weight data as the VGM and may submit
their own VGM to PHA via an EDI 301 or VERMAS message through the ocean carrier.
e.  PHA will require that a VGM submitted by an ocean carrier be received by PHA prior to the
container processing through PHAâs in-gate. Loaded container stack management in PHAâs container
yards mandates this requirement.
⢠PHAâs container yard stacks are stowed to the same standard as most container ships calling at
BCT and Bayport: âno inversion of weightsâ for container stacks. If shipper VGMs were received
after stowage in the container yard, any variance from the weight obtained at the in-gate would
require rehandling of containers in the container yard prior to or during vessel operations.
3. No Additional Charges for Supplying Weight Data. PHA will not impose any additional charges for
the services described in paragraph 3(a) through (c) above.
⢠However, PHAâs Booking Roll/Storage Fee for Export Containers (Tariff 14, Subrule 093 and Tariff
15, Subrule 095) will be assessed for storage exceeding seven days in the event of any
SOLAS-related delay, including when a container received into the container yards misses its
intended vessel.
4. A Common Process is Under Development. PHA expects that its process will be equivalent to the
Terminal Weighing Approach to providing VGM under development by the Ocean Carrier Equipment
Management Association (OCEMA) and six publicly-operated ports, including the PHA. See:
Should you need any further information, or have any questions,  please do not hesitate to contact Gulf Winds.