The Port of Felixstowe is to launch a container weighing service to help UK shippers comply with new international regulations due to come into effect on July 1.

An amendment to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention will require every export container carrying cargo to have its weight verified before it is loaded on to a ship.

The Port of Felixstowe, which is Britain’s largest container port and has played a leading role in a consultation carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the implementation of the new rules in the UK, will offer a weighing service for all containers arriving at the port by road or rail.

Stephen Abraham, chief operating officer of Port of Felixstowe, said: “We have met with many customers and from their feedback it is clear that there is still a lot of uncertainty amongst exporters about the new rules.

“The rules have the potential to cause significant disruption to export supply chains. To help avoid this, we have decided to provide a service where export containers can be weighed at the port before being loaded.”

He added: “We will provide further details about how the weighing service will work in good time to ensure all exporters can be compliant by the time the new rules come into force.”