CG Publishes Final Rule for Bulk Packaging

The Coast Guard published a final rule in the Federal Register (78 FR 54775-54788) concerning the transfer of hazardous materials to and from bulk packaging on vessels. This rule amends 46 CFR §98.30 and §93.33 to permit newer portable tanks and some IBCs to be used without special approval.

The changes made by this final rule include:

• Inserting a new §98.30-6 authorizing the use of IBCs for the carriage of certain hazardous materials on board a vessel;

• Clarifying lifting point requirements for IBCs; and

• Allowing the use of manifolds for the transfer of hazardous materials to or from a vessel only when all attached packaging units are equipped with an automatic shutoff valve or other automatic means of closure that will activate during an emergency;

The effective date of this regulation is December 5^th, 2013.