CargoSmart Introduces Mobile App for SOLAS VGM Compliance

SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - September 29, 2016) - CargoSmart Limited, a global shipment management software solutions provider that leverages big data for greater visibility and benchmarking, today announced BoxSnap, a free app to easily collect and share container weight information through a smartphone to comply with the Safety of Life at Sea Convention's Verified Gross Mass requirements (SOLAS VGM). The mobile app simplifies and expedites the process for shippers, truckers and cargo weighing parties to obtain VGM information and submit it to their ocean carriers to comply and minimize the risk of held cargo or penalties. Leveraging optical character recognition (OCR) technology, truckers and cargo weighing parties can take a photo of a container, check the captured container number and tare weight, and share it with the parties responsible for filing the VGM.

The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) updated container weight rules went into effect on July 1, 2016. The IMO directed administrations and port state control authorities to take a practical and pragmatic approach when enforcing the rules for the first three months. While carriers have reported that initial compliance has been strong, shippers may face delays and fines if they do not submit the VGM according to carriers' deadlines starting on October 1.

Nearly 500 people have downloaded BoxSnap since CargoSmart began testing the app in June. Naouri Group, a Jordan-based NVOCC with container weighing services in the Middle East and North Africa, adopted CargoSmart's VGM solutions to comply with the new regulation. "We have tested the new mobile app and find it to be a useful extension to CargoSmart's platform to facilitate the VGM submission process," said Kareem Naouri, chief operations officer of Naouri.

BoxSnap allows shippers to receive container weight information as soon as it is available, either when a container is packed at a warehouse or is at a weighing station, to meet critical VGM submission deadlines. Shippers, truckers, and cargo weighing parties can save time from having to search through carriers' websites for container tare weights, conveniently share scanned container information, and retain digital image records for future reference. Shippers who submit VGMs through CargoSmart's online platform can designate third-parties to provide the container weight details through the app and receive alerts when they can submit the VGM to their carriers.

"CargoSmart's mobile app for VGM compliance helps connect global supply chain parties and transform the physical aspects of ocean shipment management into digital formats to achieve greater efficiencies," said Lionel Louie, chief commercial officer of CargoSmart Limited. "We continue to develop solutions that leverage mobile technology, empowering shipment parties with new ways to interact and manage their cargo throughout the logistics cycle."

Learn more and download BoxSnap: http://cargosmart.com/en/solutions/boxsnap-mobile-app.htm.

About Naouri

Naouri Group (www.naouri.com) was established in 1994 by its chairman Mr. Ibrahim Naouri, as a shipping lines agent in a small office in Amman, Jordan. Today, it has expanded to become a group of 20 companies operating in Jordan, Iraq, and the West Bank, and employing over 650 staff members. The Group's main lines of business include shipping and logistics, and travel and tourism, and it is considered a market leader in both industries, and in the Levant Region. In recent years, Naouri has also expanded its scope of services to cover cargo inspection and testing, security services, packing and packaging, warehousing & container yard services, online booking solutions as well as agricultural production.

About CargoSmart

CargoSmart Limited provides global shipment management software solutions that enable shippers, consignees, logistics service providers, NVOCCs, and ocean carriers to improve planning and on-time deliveries. With a growing network of container carriers and terminals, CargoSmart leverages big data sources and a cloud-based platform to offer award-winning sailing schedules, visibility, documentation, contract management, compliance, and benchmarking solutions. Launched in 2000, CargoSmart has helped over 160,000 transportation and logistics professionals to increase delivery reliability, lower transportation costs, and streamline operations. For more information, please visit www.cargosmart.com.