In 2015, it became necessary for Ghana to consider the amendment to the SOLAS convention relating to Chapter VI Part A, regulation 2 on cargo information and the IMO guidelines relating to the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of a packed Container.
THE ROLE OF GHANA SHIPPERS’ AUTHORITY
The Ghana Shippers Authority is working together with other stakeholders to ensure that by July 1, 2016, the implementation date of the VGM, shippers would be aware and well prepared.
MEASURES TAKEN SO FAR
- Meeting with Stakeholders to identify the role of each stakeholder as far back as 2015;
- Presentations and talks on CWV in all the programs of Regional Shipper Committee meetings in the Ten Regions; and to specific export groups.
- Rolled up a programme to hold Stakeholder forum in all the ten regions of Ghana for shippers by the end of the first quarter of 2016 having already in 2015;
PUBLICITY OF THE CWV
- Publications of an Article on CVW in the Authority’s quarterly Shipping Review
- Preparation of brochures as guide for shippers
- Developed Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
- Notices in the Daily News papers, and radio programs
- Sensitizing by way of information to the Ghana Missions Abroad for Ghanaian Exporters
ROLE OF EACH MAJOR STAKEHOLDER
- Identification of Competent Authority for certification and calibration of scales, weigh bridges, lifting equipments etc. Ghana Standards Authority
- Ghana Standards to provide an inventory of weigh bridges, weigh stations, weighing scales across the ten (10) regions of Ghana.
- Freight Forwarders To take an inventory on Container Freight Stations (CFS) with weigh facility
- – The Ports and Harbours Authority has designated area(s) to install a weighing facility close to the port to assist shippers without the Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
- – National Legislation to be done by the Ghana Maritime Authority
- Ghana Shippers Authority should sensitize, inform and provide shippers with weighing equipment.
CONSTITUTION OF TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (TC)
- Technical Committee was established in 2015 to bring out technical guidelines to be used in Ghana- Members – Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana Shippers Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority
- Ghana Shippers Authority has started visiting shippers with weighing facility in all the regions
- ROAD MAP- developed for the entire project with time lines to be terminated by May 2016.
- Proposed testing in June of the guidelines.
IMPLEMENTING COMMITTEE:
The Ministry of Transport has instituted an implementing committee to take care of the operational measures, the costs, method of weighing, and other procedures.
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