Sasco News
SOLAS Compliance, VGM Reporting & Operator Training
- Date: May 2026
- Sasco Group: Sasco Africa
- News Type: Understanding the latest SAMSA and SOLAS container weighing requirements.
SOLAS Container Weighing Compliance in South Africa: Is Your Weighbridge Operation Ready for 2026?
In sugar production environments, weighing accuracy presents a unique engineering challenge.
When containers are incorrectly weighed, the consequences can be severe:
- Unsafe vessel loading
- Damaged cargo
- Port delays
- Compliance failures
- Injury or loss of life
That is exactly why SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations require all packed containers to have a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) before being loaded onto a vessel. In South Africa, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has now strengthened these requirements through Marine Notice MN 01-25, issued on 11 December 2025.
From 1 July 2026, weighbridges used for SOLAS Method 1 container weighing must be audited and certified by SAMSA-accredited auditors. For exporters, freight operators, terminals, and logistics companies, compliance is no longer optional.
What Does SOLAS Method 1 Mean?
Under SOLAS regulations, shippers are responsible for providing the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of packed containers before loading.
Method 1 allows a packed and sealed container to be weighed directly using authorised weighing equipment such as:
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- Weighbridges
- Reach stackers with weighing systems
- Mobile weighing equipment
SAMSA now requires these facilities to:
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- Use approved weighing equipment
- Maintain calibration and verification records
- Undergo annual audits
- Ensure operators are properly trained
- Produce compliant weighbridge tickets with all required VGM information
The Growing Compliance Challenge
Many weighbridge facilities are only now realising that SOLAS compliance extends far beyond simply weighing a truck.
To remain compliant under SAMSA requirements:
- Weighbridges must be audited annually
- Operators must undergo annual training
- Weighbridge tickets must contain mandatory VGM information
- Systems must provide accurate, traceable reporting
- Facilities must maintain proper documentation and authorisation processes
This creates operational pressure for many businesses already managing busy logistics environments.
That is where Sasco Africa steps in.
The Sasco Africa SOLAS Compliance Solution
Sasco Africa offers a complete SOLAS Method 1 weighing solution designed specifically for industrial and container weighing operations. At the centre of this solution is our advanced ProWeigh Software platform.
Why ProWeigh Works for SOLAS Compliance
ProWeigh has been developed to support accurate, compliant, and traceable weighbridge operations. The system ensures weighbridge tickets contain the key information required by SAMSA, including:
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- Weighbridge facility details
- SAMSA authorisation number
- Container number
- Container seal number
- Date and time weighed
- Shipper information
- Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
Our software also supports:
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- Operator accountability
- Digital record keeping
- Automated ticket generation
- Reporting and audit traceability
- Integration with weighbridge hardware and automation systems
In short… ProWeigh helps facilities move from basic weighing to fully managed SOLAS-ready operations.
Free Annual Weighbridge Operator Training
One of the most overlooked aspects of SOLAS compliance is operator competency.
SAMSA requirements place responsibility on authorised operators involved in the weighing process.
To support our clients, Sasco Africa offers a FREE online weighbridge operator training course through the Sasco Weighing Academy.
Annual refresher training forms part of maintaining a compliant operation and preparing for audits.
Preparing for the 1 July 2026 Deadline
With SAMSA audits and certification requirements coming into effect from 1 July 2026, now is the time for facilities to assess:
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- Their current weighbridge systems
- Software capability
- Operator readiness
- Ticket compliance
- Calibration and verification processes
Facilities that prepare early will avoid last-minute compliance pressure and operational disruption.
Need assistance with SOLAS Method 1 compliance?
Speak to Sasco Africa about:
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- ProWeigh Software
- Weighbridge compliance
- Calibration and verification
- Operator training
- SOLAS-ready ticketing systems
- Industrial weighing automation
Bring Sasco in early. Deliver with confidence.
If you have any questions about our weighing solutions or would like a free quote, please click here to fill out our contact form.
You can also phone the Sasco Support Centre directly on either +27 83 680 0722 or +27 11 746 6000.
