Bill of Lading (BL)
How can I receive my Bill of Lading (BL)?
You are requested to submit the complete Shipping Instruction through portals and our team will handle it.
The deadline for submitting the Shipping Instruction is indicated on our website under local schedule.
How long does it take to receive my Bill of Lading (BL)?
We are doing our best in order to process the information and send a verified draft of the BL according to your Shipping Instructions within 9 hours, provided that all accurate, mandatory information was submitted by customer.
How can I request a BL amendment?
For BL amendment please send your request to our documentation team via dedicated email specified on the contacts page for each country.
If you have any further inquiries, our booking team will be happy to support you.
Booking for Dangerous cargo
How long does it take to receive my booking confirmation?
We are doing our best to process your Booking request and send a booking confirmation as soon as possible. Please note that confirming Dangerous Cargo bookings takes longer, since we must receive approvals from relevant parties in order to ensure the safety of your shipment as well as the vessel and crew.
What is the Dangerous Cargo Declaration (DGD)?
The DGD is a document that you need to fill in to certify that the dangerous goods being transported have been packaged, labeled, and declared in accordance with the standard international shipping regulations and any other laws, rules or regulations which may be applicable during their transport.
Once filled in, you need to sign and stamp both sides of the document, then send the scanned copy to our booking desk.
When should the final Dangerous Cargo Declaration be submitted?
For more information regarding deadline for submission of final DGD, please open Schedules menu on GSL website, and go to country schedules (available for most countries).
Please make sure to submit the Dangerous Cargo Declaration on time. Without DGD your container will not be loaded!
If you have any further inquiries, our booking team will be happy to support you.
Booking for General Cargo
How to submit a booking?
How long does it take to receive my booking confirmation?
We are doing all our efforts in order to proceed your booking request and send a booking confirmation to your registered email within 2 hours.
Where can I check the Container Yard (CY) cut-off?
For more information regarding CY cut-off please open Schedules menu on GSL website, and go to country schedules (available for most countries).
Our booking team will be happy to support you with all your booking inquiries.
General Questions
Can I ship hazardous cargo with GSL?
GSL teams worldwide are highly experienced in shipping many types of hazardous or sensitive cargo, and we ensure total compliance with international safety standards. That said, there are some consignments we cannot carry on legal, environmental, or ethical grounds. Contact us for further details on problematic categories.
Can I ship rare/precious cargo with GSL?
GSL provides specialist transportation solutions customized to suit all kinds of rare and precious cargoes, ensuring you benefit from complete peace of mind. Please contact your local GSL agent for more information.
Can I monitor my shipment's temperature in transit?
The temperature of reefer containers can be monitored in real time via GSL's innovative GSLMonitor system. GSLMonitor provides immediate alerts regarding temperature fluctuations, as well as power outages and unauthorized door openings, so our on-site teams can tackle the issue as quickly as possible.
How can I find out the ecological impact of my shipment?
GSL is committed to protecting clean seas and adopting eco-friendly policies to minimize the environmental impact of each voyage. Our ECOData Emissions Calculator is a quick and simple way for you to find the estimated carbon emissions for your specific shipment. All data is provided in accordance with recognized Clean Cargo Working Group methodologies.
What should I do if my cargo is lost or damaged?
In the rare event that your cargo is damaged or lost in transit, please notify your local GSL agent immediately. GSL may ask you to provide documents in support of your claim, and may arrange for your cargo to be inspected by an independent surveyor to determine the extent of the damage, upon prior written notice. Please be aware that any delay in notifying GSL regarding such matters may adversely affect your rights in these cases.
What do I do with empty containers?
Use our eContainer online tool to find your closest delivery location. Simply enter the container number and you will be provided with all the necessary details.
Who should I contact if I can’t find what I’m looking for?
If you can't find the information you need, don't hesitate to contact us with your questions. We will be happy to assist you and resolve any issues. Open the "Contact Us" menu, and contact us in your preferred channel.
Where can I check the deadline for Shipping Instruction (SI)?
For more information regarding deadlines for SI please kindly enter our website under local schedule.
SOLAS VGM
What is the Verified Gross Mass (VGM)?
The VGM is the measurement of a shipping container’s total weight, including its contents.
Effective from 1st July 2016, a packed container is not allowed to be loaded on board vessels unless its VGM has been provided by to the ocean carrier prior to the load list cut-off date.
When should the VGM be submitted?
Deadline for submission of VGM is published on our website under local schedule.
Please make sure to submit VGM on time. Without VGM your container will not be
loaded.
If you have any further inquiries, our booking team will be happy to assist you.
Who is the “Shipper” in the context of the responsibility for providing the VGM?
For purposes of this regulation, the full responsibility falls to that of the Shipper who appears on the Carrier’s B/L.
For consolidated cargo – who provides the VGM to the Carrier?
GSL will receive the VGM from the Freight Forwarder consolidating the cargo and not the separate weights of each different part of the shipment.
Where can we find the Tare of the containers?
The Tare of the containers can be found on the door of the container. You are welcomed to call your local Customer Service representative to receive this information as well.
We intend to provide an option on the GSL website to retrieve the Tare of the container.
What is the cutoff time to submit the VGM?
This is determined locally. The Carrier is responsible to include the VGM in the load list submitted to the terminal. Each terminal requires the load list at a different point in time prior to vessel arrival. Our agents will provide the cutoff time. We intend to provide the VGM Cutoff time on our booking confirmation.
How can the VGM be submitted to the agents?
The VGM cab be submitted by one of the following channels:
>Submit our online form for VGM declaration
>Use GSL bulk VGM declarations form - enabling reporting multiple VGM at once
>VERMAS EDI or other EDI through the E-Commerce Portals
>Email to the Local Booking Agent - quick list to local offices can be found here
>Include it on the Shipping Instructions as long as they are sent in a timely manner
Will the VGM need to be provided to the Land Transportation haulers?
Haulers contracted by the Carrier will be requested to ensure they know when the VGM will be provided by the Shipper.
Are there terminals which will require the VGM before the container enters the gate?
Yes – there are terminals which will require the VGM before the container enters the gate. We are preparing a list of these terminals worldwide and will publish it accordingly.
Does the terminal receive the VGM from the Carrier or directly from the Shipper?
The IMO Guidelines are as follows:
6.3.1. Because the contract of carriage is between the shipper and the shipping company, not between the shipper and the port terminal facility, the shipper may meet its obligation under the SOLAS regulations by submitting the verified gross mass to the shipping company. It is then the responsibility of the shipping company to provide information regarding the verified gross mass of the packed container to the terminal representative in advance of ship loading. Similarly, the shipper may also submit the verified gross mass to the port terminal facility representative upon delivery of the container to the port facility in advance of loading.
6.3.1.1 The master or his representative and the terminal representative should enter into arrangements to ensure the prompt sharing of verified container gross mass information provided by shippers. Existing communication systems may be used for the transmission and sharing of such verified container gross mass information.
6.3.1.2 At the time a packed container is delivered to a port terminal facility, the terminal representative should have been informed by the shipping company whether the shipper has provided the verified gross mass of the packed container and what that gross mass is.
Direct delivery to the vessel – when does the VGM need to be provided?
The VGM will need to be provided before the container enters the terminal.
Will the governments apply a tolerance threshold for the accuracy of the weight?
The Shipper must weigh the cargo/container and provide an accurate rate. Each Country will decide the tolerance they are willing to accept in cases of discrepancies.
What will happen to the container in the port if the VGM was not received on time?
Containers that do not have a VGM at the closing time and date will not be able to be loaded on the vessel.
Who will pay for any expenses incurred due to lack of VGM (demurrage, storage etc)?
If any charges are received from the port because the container was not loaded, due to lack of VGM, we will have no choice but to roll this charge to the Shipper.
Will all terminals be able to provide a Weighing solution?
No. Not all terminals will provide a weighing solution. Shippers should find a weighing solution that does not rely on the terminal services
Will the Carrier re-weigh the container or validate the VGM provided by the Shipper?
The Carrier will not be validating the weight provided by the Shippers in their VGM and will proceed with vessel planning based on this weight.
What is the penalty for discrepancies between the VGM and the weight found to be different?
The responsibility of validating the VGM is that of the local authorities in each country. They will determine their penalty individually.
What about long standing containers that were in the port prior to July 1st? Will a VGM be required before loading?
As of July 1st, 2016 all containers being loaded to a vessel MUST have a VGM or cannot be loaded. The same holds true for any container, regardless of its duration in the port.
Track & Trace
Why does the shipment tracking show "ETA – not available"?
The "Estimated arrival at final destination – not yet available" message will appear if your shipment's ETA cannot be confirmed due to the schedules of feeder / connecting vessels not having been finalized. For details, please contact your local GSL agent directly.
I have the B/L number, so why can't I track my shipment?
The tracking system is only updated once the vessel leaves port. If you have the vessel name, you can check the vessel schedule to find the vessel's expected departure date.
How can I track my shipment online?
You can track your shipment at any time using the Find Shipment tool on the bottom left of your screen. Simply enter your booking, bill of lading (B/L), or container number, which you can find in the documentation you have already received from GSL. Make sure you enter each number without spaces.
A container number consists of 4 letters and several digits.
Example: TGHU1234567
A B/L number consists of 7 letters followed by several digits.
Example: GOSUPKL1234567
