VERMAS
VERMAS is the UN/EDIFACT message used to transmit the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of a packed container. Since the SOLAS amendment that took effect on 1 July 2016, a container may not be loaded onto a ship unless its verified gross mass has been declared in advance — and VERMAS is the standard electronic way the shipper sends that figure to the carrier and the terminal.
The message carries the container number, the verified weight, the weighing method (Method 1 — weighing the packed container; or Method 2 — weighing the cargo and adding the tare), the responsible party and the weighing party. Terminals reject containers without a valid VGM, so an accurate, on-time VERMAS is a gate condition, not paperwork.
VERMAS is how the SOLAS VGM rule is met in practice. No verified gross mass, no loading — so if the VERMAS is late, wrong or missing, the box is stopped at the terminal. It exists to prevent the mis-declared container weights that have capsized ships and collapsed stacks.
(Method 1 / 2)
terminal
to load
What is Verified Gross Mass (VGM)?
The total weight of a packed container — cargo plus tare — verified by the shipper. Under SOLAS (effective 1 July 2016) it must be declared before a container can be loaded onto a ship.
What are VGM weighing Method 1 and Method 2?
Method 1 weighs the whole packed container; Method 2 weighs the cargo and packaging and adds the container's tare weight.