The Digital Container Shipping Association has published the first API-based standard developed under DCSA’s framework for verified gross mass exchange, designed to simplify compliance, increase transparency, and accelerate digitalisation across container shipping.

The Verified Gross Mass (VGM) requirement, mandated by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) SOLAS Convention since 2016, ensures containers are weighed before loading onto a vessel. Today, VGM data is typically shared through emails, spreadsheets, carrier portals, or EDI messages, each using different formats and validation rules. This fragmented approach creates manual work, inconsistent visibility, and increased operational risk.

The DCSA VGM Standard introduces a unified API for real-time submission, validation, and exchange of verified container weight information across shippers, carriers, terminals and other parties involved. Built on DCSA’s data model, it enables carriers and their customers to make a transition to the APIs based VGM submission for the better data quality, automation, and integration. The standard is fully aligned with SOLAS requirements and consistent with other DCSA APIs such as Booking, Track & Trace, and eBL.

Category-leading shippers and ocean carriers have been closely involved in shaping the standard, reflecting strong demand for streamlined VGM processes and improved data interoperability.

“Sharing VGM data through a mix of EDI, emails, and different system formats can create inconsistencies across the industry,” said Angel L. Muñoz, Senior Director Global Logistics at Al Dahra Holding. “The DCSA VGM Standard offers a unified framework that enhances data accuracy, streamlines communication, and supports smoother, more reliable operations for all stakeholders.”

John Kim, Senior Manager on HMM’s Digitalization Team adds “As part of our long-standing focus on digitalisation, we recognise that customers need VGM to be included to enable true end-to-end API integration and seamless information flow.”

“The VGM Standard is one of the key elements to supporting the ongoing transition to an API ecosystem for container shipping” said Kristina Jumelet, Product Owner at DCSA. “VGM processes have long depended on a mix of manual steps and fragmented solutions.

By introducing a common, API-based standard, we’re addressing a gap that has limited automation and user experience consistency. This is an important addition to the DCSA standards catalogue in our efforts to digitalise shipping processes to enable our industry to move toward faster, more accurate, and fully traceable information exchange.”