SOLAS
Ocean freightInternational Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
A global maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standards for ships.
In practice
Adopted by the International Maritime Organization, SOLAS covers ship design, construction, equipment, and operation. In freight forwarding, its most relevant requirement is that shippers must provide a verified gross mass for packed containers before loading. Non-compliance can lead to delays, penalties, or refusal to load.
Seen in the wild
We need to submit the VGM to comply with SOLAS before the cut-off.
Watch out
People assume SOLAS only covers safety equipment like lifeboats, but it also mandates cargo weight verification.