DP World Sokhna has announced its early adoption of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations starting 1 July.

As a result, all shippers will be required to verify the gross mass of their containers. Cargo that is not verified will not be allowed through ocean carriers and terminals.

The SOLAS Convention is considered a key international treaty dealing with the safety of merchant ships. Container handling is DP World’s core business, generating most of the company’s revenues.

In 2015, DP World handled 61.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) across its portfolio. It is expected to have a gross capacity of more than 100 million TEU by 2020, compared to its current 79.6 million TEU.

“As an industry leader, DP World Sokhna is firmly committed to applying international industry standards and adhering to the regulations as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance safety levels, facilitate cargo handling, and accelerate trade movement ,” said John Fewer, CEO of DP World Sokhna.

DP World Sokhna has been providing the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) declaration at its port facility, using globally-approved weighing equipment to service customers that may not have access to approved weighing equipment prior to their containers arriving at DP World terminals.