Sixty days to the start of new regional regulations of verified gross mass (VGM) for container exports, there is disagreement over who should set up the new container weighing equipment.

According to the the Kenya Ports Authority, the VGM regulations apply from July 1. They will replace the current declaration of container gross mass (GM), that relied on exporters.

Exporters want KPA to buy the weighing machine for they lack the $700,000 needed.

“The best option within that timeline is for KPA to set its own weighing machines at the central corridors in Kigali since they have a port in Rwanda,” said UN manager for traffic and shipping in DR Congo Phillipe Bakou.

Rwandan exporters have been weighing their container cargo at Kigali-based customs and clearing warehouse (Magerwa) but will now need KPA recommended equipment such as rubber-tyred or rail mounted gantries.

Experts believe that KPA is lobbying Rwanda so as to retain its market share of port exports as it continues to compete with the Tanzanian based Dar es salaam port, which already has a certified weighing machine at the port.

It is estimated that 20 per cent of container accidents in the world are due to weight under-declaration, cargo misdeclaration, insufficient securing/supporting and incorrect cargo distribution in container.