Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Marking of Weight (Packages Transported by Vessels) Convention, 1929 (No. 27) - Japan (Ratification: 1931)

1. The Committee notes the information supplied in the Government’s report that no legislative change has occurred. It also notes the observations from the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC-RENGO), included in the Government’s report, regarding the practical application of the Convention in relation to modern means of cargo handling, with particular reference to containers.

2. Article 1 of the Convention. Marking of weight and application in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by JTUC-RENGO that although, in their view, it was unlikely that harbour transport businesses, port workers and their trade unions were fully aware of the Convention and related national laws and regulations, the weight of packages above 1 metric tonne seemed to be generally marked. JTUC-RENGO considered however, that the owners of the goods, the packers of goods consigned as well as seaborne goods handling businesses (or forwarders) should be made better aware of the Convention and the rules for marking the weight of the package. It further noted that as export and import cargo was mostly containerized, it was impossible to check the weight of an individual piece of cargo and that, given the intention of the Convention, the actual weight of a container should be marked on the outside. Reference was made to an accident that occurred in which the bottom plate of a container had fallen out because cargo with a gross weight exceeding the ISO standard (30.48 metric tonnes) had been loaded into the container. In addition, JTUC-RENGO noted that since the gross weight was not marked on a marine container, container truck drivers often transported cargoes without knowing their contents or weight. As a result they were sometimes charged with overloading. When an accident happened the responsibility was placed entirely on the marine container transporter and the truck driver. JTUC-RENGO concluded that merely marking the weight of an individual package was not sufficient to ensure that marine container cargoes were transported safely and that a new Convention and national legislation in line with actual transportation needs was required. With reference to the general observation that the Committee is making on the Convention at the present session on the manner in which the Convention is applied in relation to modern means of cargo handling, with particular reference to containers, and any difficulties encountered in this regard, the Committee invites the Government to provide any further detailed and up to date information it deems relevant to the Committee at its 79th Session in 2008.