CARGO/COMMERCIAL VEHICLES - FREIGHT MANIFEST PROCEDURES

The carriage of heavy vehicles is an important activity of the Company's operations and due care must be taken by all concerned both for the commercial as well as the safety aspect of the loading/unloading operation.

Planning of Loading and Stowage
The planning of loading and stowage should always ensure that the ship has a positive stability/trim within criteria as laid down within the ship's approved stability book. The vessel shall never be overloaded. Weight, size and nature of cargo, for example hazardous consignments, will necessarily influence the sequence of loading, but booked or pre-advised vehicles must always take priority. Furthermore, subject to stowage plans, every effort should be made to load cars in order of arrival within marshalling areas.

Dangerous cargoes must only be accepted and stowed in accordance with requirements of the IMDG Code in conjunction with provisions as laid out within the Company's specific standing order on the subject.

Unaccompanied vehicles and trailers cannot be accepted without written authorisation from the terminal or appropriate line manager.

Axle Loads and Weights
Weights of commercial vehicles vary from one type of vehicle to another and depending on the quantity and type of cargo carried. It is essential that the cargo weight is spread along the length and width of the vehicle box or trailer to ensure an even load.

For this purpose, the Company has introduced a vehicle weigh bridge at Sa Maison (later to be installed at Mgarr and Cirkewwa) to assess the actual weights on each axle of the relative vehicle. Under no circumstances should axle weights exceed 13 tons per axle.

This provision is in accordance with Regulation 5 of L.N. 13 of 1997 - Gozo Mail and Passenger Service (Fares) Regulations 1997 which states:

"Loads on commercial vehicles are not to exceed the registered capacity of the vehicle and/or an axle weight in excess of 13 tons".

Notwithstanding the above, the axle weights for two (2) axle vehicles shall not exceed 14 tons per axle, so far as the distance between wheels does not exceed 2000 mm and the front and rear axles are not separated by more than 1500 mm (measured from the centre of each axle).

Control and Security
Company personnel are instructed to ensure that boarding is carried out in an orderly manner. Customers' co-operation in this regard will be very much appreciated.

Queuing and Boarding Procedures - Sa Maison
In order to ensure that boarding takes place in a safe, orderly and efficient manner, the following procedures will be followed.

The driver of the vehicle, on arrival at the quay at Sa Maison, will proceed to the Company's stores/offices in order to advise of his intention to utilise the cargo service. A Company employee will note the details of the driver and the vehicle and the reservation, if any and communicate to the driver the relative position in the queue. In this way, the Company will ensure that the service will be truly conducted on a "first come, first served" basis. The vehicle will then be parked at the appropriate space on the quay, in accordance with the plan of the area.

Prior to boarding, the driver of any commercial vehicle will have to complete a Form GCC 307 - Request for Carriage of Commercial Vehicle attached. This form must be duly completed and signed by the haulier or his driver, thereby certifying that the vehicle does not contain any dangerous or hazardous cargo, and that the cargo which is being carried, is safely lashed and/or secure. Failure to abide by this provision may lead to the Master refusing to accept the vehicle onboard the vessel. This form must be completed by all owners/operators/drivers of commercial vehicles - from all points of embarkation (including Cirkewwa and Mgarr).

Hauliers should be encouraged to present the form, duly completed and signed, to the Company by 1700 hours the previous day, in order that the Company will assess the number and size of vehicle which is expected to travel on the Company's vessels the next day, and plan accordingly.

When it is time to commence boarding, the drivers will be asked to proceed in the order of arrival (in accordance with the sequence numbers allotted to them). They will proceed by going round the roundabout at Pieta' or as otherwise directed and drive slowly towards the vessel. Prior to boarding, they should slowly pass over the axle weigh bridge. If the weight allowed is exceeded, the vehicle will not be permitted to board the vessel, and the vehicle will lose position in the queue. If the 13 tons axle weight is not exceeded, the driver will be issued with the relevant certificate (printout), to be handed to the Master prior to boarding. The Master's discretion will be final.

In order to assist hauliers, the Company will give truck drivers the opportunity to weigh the vehicle on early arrival at Sa Maison - so that they will be able to remedy the situation if the resultant axle weight exceeds the limits set by Regulations. The relative truck will again have to follow the procedure laid down above.

Similar arrangements will apply at Mgarr and Cirkewwa Harbours for loaded or unloaded vehicles.

Truck Drivers
All vehicles must be accompanied by a driver on boarding and during the voyage, except when prior arrangement has been made with the Company and accepted in writing.

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