Transmission of the verified gross mass

The verified gross mass has to be documented by the shipper in the shipping documents. The document can be part of the shipping instructions to the shipping company or a separate communication. The documentation can also happen electronically. In any case, it has to be signed by a person authorized by the shipper. When electronic transmission is used, the signature may be made with simple electronic signature. SOLAS VI/2: “Reference to documents in this regulation does not preclude the use of electronic data processing (EDP) and electronic data interchange (EDI) transmission techniques as an aid to paper documentation.”

The transmission of the verified gross mass to the shipping company has to be sufficiently in advance to leave enough time to prepare a proper ship stowage plan. This can vary depending on the shipping company and is to a large extent dependent on the individual size of the ship. Therefore, what exactly “sufficiently in advance” means is determined by the shipping company. Public authorities will not set any provisions regarding this.