Every laden export container to have a verified container weight as a condition for shipboard loading from July 1 now that the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has adopted amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) that will require the new measure, reports the American Journal of Transportation.

All parties involved in the international transportation of maritime containers, including shippers, freight forwarders, packers, NVOCCs, carriers, and marine terminal operators, will need to take measures to ensure that they are prepared to fulfil the new SOLAS regulatory requirement before the implementation date arrives.

"There currently is more than a year to get ready. That time should not be wasted. All parties should use the time that is available to understand what will be required of them, and to prepare to be able to meet those requirements before July 1, 2016." said the report.

To help promote an understanding of these SOLAS amendments, the World Shipping Council has released a three page synopsis of what the SOLAS requirement containers.