Sch 9Marking of cargo mass

Schedule 9 Marking of cargo mass

(subsection 24.1)

1 Gross mass of cargo

1.1 An individual article of cargo, or unitised articles of cargo, the gross mass of which is 1 tonne or more, must not be loaded or unloaded unless:

(a) there is marked on it, or on a securely attached label, the gross mass of the package, article or unit, in legible characters not less than 25 mm in height; or

(b) where it is to be unloaded, the person in charge has been advised by the ship’s master of the gross mass of the package, article or unit.

Note: Examples of articles of cargo

Note: a container; a portable tank, an intermediate bulk container, a returnable cargo unit, logs, timber, steel products, break bulk, pre slung cargo.

1.2 If the actual gross mass is not marked on an article of transport equipment, the shipper is taken to have declared that the actual gross mass is equal to the maximum gross mass or, in the case of a flexible intermediate bulk container, the SWL marked on the item.

2 Mass of unitised and pre-slung cargo

For clause 1, where packages or articles of cargo are grouped or preslung so as to be handled as a single unit and the aggregate gross mass of the unit does not exceed the designated maximum gross mass of the unit marked on the unit or a label, the gross mass of the unit is taken to be the designated maximum gross mass.

3 Mass of transport equipment

3.1 Subject to subclause 3.2, where an article of transport equipment is to be loaded or unloaded, the gross mass of that article is taken to be the maximum operating gross mass or rating of the article, or SWL in the case of a flexible intermediate bulk container, unless the actual gross mass has been marked upon it or the person in charge has been advised of the actual gross mass.

3.2 The gross mass of an article of transport equipment referred to in subclause 3.1 that does not contain cargo and is declared to be empty:

(a) where the article is to be loaded — by the shipper; or

(b) where the article is to be unloaded — by the master or agent;

is taken to be the tare mass of the article.

4 Gross mass of mechanical stowing appliance

4.1 A mechanical stowing appliance, or part of such an appliance, must not be hoisted or lowered where the gross mass of the appliance or the part is 1 tonne or more, unless there is prominently marked on the appliance or part, or on a securely attached label, the gross mass in legible characters not less than 25 mm in height.

4.2 For subclause 4.1, the gross mass of a mechanical stowing appliance or part of such an appliance, includes the mass of the appliance or part, fully equipped and, where appropriate, fuelled.