The decision of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee to solve the problem of "misdeclared" container weights will significantly improve the safety of container ships, their crews, shoreside personnel involved in the handling and transport of containers, and other cargo aboard the ship.

In December 2010, the World Shipping Council and the International Chamber of Shipping jointly urged the IMO to establish an international legal requirement that all loaded containers be weighed at the marine port facility before stowage aboard a vessel for export.

Last week's meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO  agreed to a proposal made by the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia to establish a new work item to address the issue of incorrectly declared containerized cargo shipments and to undertake other measures to improve the safety of container stowage and ship operations.

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