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

Replies received to the issues raised in a direct request which do not give rise to further comments (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, which answers the points raised in its previous direct request and has no further matters to raise in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its general observation in 2007 in relation to modern methods of cargo handling, with particular reference to containers. The Committee notes in particular the information that in India the Standard Weights and Measures Act and Rules, 1976 regulate the marking of the weight of all commodities in packaged form which are sold, distributed or delivered in the country; that the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 has no provisions with respect to the marking of cargo carried by vessels; that the Dock Workers (Safety, Health & Welfare) Regulations, 1990 require container weight to be noted; and that when containers are packed, their weight must not exceed the maximum operating gross weight in accordance with their marking pursuant to the International Convention for Safe Containers. The Committee also notes the information that the Directorate General of Shipping (Government of India) has recently been receiving reports on the carriage of containers with weights exceeding the gross operating weight, which has numerous detrimental effects on the safety of, inter alia, dockworkers, and that the Directorate is of the view that the owner or lessee of the containers or shipper of the cargo should be held responsible for ensuring a clear and appropriate marking on the freight containers. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on measures taken to address the issue of overloaded containers.