SOLAS software, to integrate weight directly with the management systems of the relevant port and shipping authorities

BILANCIAI GROUP offers an extensive range of industrial weighing equipment, weighbridges and specialist software. Ahead of the July 2016 deadline, the company has already developed specific SOLAS software for their DD1050 and DD2050 Diade intelligent weight terminals, designed to integrate directly with the management systems of the relevant port and shipping authorities. This software, together with the company’s range of intelligent weight terminals, can be used for new weighbridge installations or to upgrade existing ones. It is also suitable for collating the weighing of cargo as it is loaded into the container. The weights of the individual containers can be captured together with their unique serial numbers. This data can then be made available via:- paper printout or- transfer in CSV (Excel) format by automatic email or memory stick or- direct transfer to SQL database on a PC. Method 1 – Weighing the container complete with contentsThis is considered to be the most straightforward and reliable method of determining the gross weight of a container. Bilanciai already have extensive experience in the automated weighing of vehicles and their contents at ports and terminals. A key advantage is that Bilanciai manufacture the complete weighbridge measuring chain including: the weighbridge decks, the all-important load cells, weight instrumentation and software. This single-source supply ensures a fully integrated and reliable system. Bilanciai are the first UK weighbridge manufacturer to achieve EN1090 certification for their weighbridges. This under-pins the quality of their weighbridge products, providing the reassurance to the market of our fabrication and welding expertise, together with our production control capabilities. (From the 1st July 2014 it has become a legal requirement within the UK that all structural steel work being dispatched from production facilities for use within civil works must be CE Marked. This CE requirement is based on the European Construction Product Regulation (CPR).) Method 2 – Weighing the component parts Depending on the products involved, collating all the weights of the sub-components and packaging materials (dunnage) of a container prior to loading may be relatively complex, unless a very structured system is in place to check all products have been weighed and loaded. Any calculation method has to be certified by the competent authority in the State where the container is packed. If the products being loaded into the container are prepacked (sealed) and have their individual weights marked on the packages there is no requirement to re-weigh them. However any additional packaging suck as pallets must be weighed and added to the total weight. Even if a certified system is used for obtaining the weight of the container, from a belt and braces viewpoint, shippers and/or freight forwarders may still want to check the overall weight of the container to avoid penalties or delays at the port. For companies choosing to adopt Method 2, Bilanciai have the experience and equipment for such collective weight applications. A range of industrial weigh scales and forklift truck weighing systems can be used in conjunction with their DD1050 terminals loaded with SOLAS software and peripheral equipment such as barcode scanners. The tare weights of the individual containers can be captured together with their unique serial numbers and combined with the collective weight of the cargo to arrive at a verified gross weight. This data can then be made available via:- paper printout or- transfer in CSV (Excel) format by automatic email or memory stick or- direct transfer to SQL database on a PC. Conclusion There are still a number of unanswered questions relating to the weighing of containers and answers will continue to come throughout 2016 as the changes take effect. Bilanciai believe ports and terminals will require significant additional weighing capacity and IT infrastructure to collate and manage the data prior to shipping. They recognize that the key to success is to use a weight data management system that is specifically designed for the implementation of SOLAS regulations. Bilanciai are offering specialist help to companies involved in complying with the SOLAS regulations. More information