Wrong Container Weights Led to Stack Collapse on U.S.-Flagged Boxship

The Verified Gross Mass (VGM) regulation that took effect in 2016 was supposed to cut down significantly on the risk of misdeclared weights in container shipping, which can cause stack collapses and dangerous stability issues. A recent incident involving a U.S.-flagged boxship shows the potential hazards that still exist if incorrect weights are entered in booking systems and if containers aren’t reweighed before loading. 

In early 2024, a booking agent for cargo departing California was preparing a reservation of 40 container slots for the February 3 sailing of the U.S.-flagged boxship President Eisenhower. One of the containers was flag…