The World Shipping Council (WSC) has released a set of frequently asked questions on new shipping rules that took effect on Friday.

Under the rules – aimed at improving safety – shippers are required to verify a cargo container’s gross mass before loading it.

A coalition of industry experts prepared the FAQ responses, including the WSC, insurance and risk management services business TT Club, the International Container Handling and Co-ordination Association, and the Global Shippers Forum.

“They were developed in response to questions that have been raised by various stakeholders regarding the revised regulation and the accompanying guidelines,” the WSC says.

Changes to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea were adopted by the International Maritime Organisation in November 2014 and made mandatory Friday.

“[They] will assist in ensuring the millions of containers carried on ships each year are optimally stowed, thereby helping to prevent container stacks collapsing and containers being lost overboard, and the associated injury and loss of life,” the International Maritime Organisation says of the new rules.

About 170 million containers are loaded onto ships every year, it says.

The WSC says about 1700 containers are lost overboard every year.

To read the FAQs, click here.