CG Announces CTAC Meeting – 8-19-14

Today the Coast Guard published a meeting notice in the Federal Register (79 FR 35369-35370) for a three day meeting of their Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) starting August 19^th, 2014 in Arlington, VA. The meeting is open to the public.

There will be sub-committee meetings on the 19^th and 20^th. Each of the sub-committees has different task statements outlined for their meetings. Details can be found via the Homeport web site (sorry no direct links are available through Homeport).

The full committee will meet on the 21^st. Their agenda includes:

• Harmonization of Response and Carriage Requirements for Biofuels and Biofuel Blends.

• Recommendations on Safety Standards for the Design of Vessels Carrying Natural Gas or Using Natural Gas as Fuel.

• Recommendations for Safety Standards for Ship to Ship Transfer of Hazardous Material Outside of the Baseline.

• Recommendations for Guidance on the Implementation of Revisions to MARPOL Annex II and the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous

• Chemicals in Bulk (commonly known as the IBC Code).

• Requirements for Third-Party Surveyors of MARPOL Annex II Prewash Operations.

• Improving Implementation of and Education about MARPOL Discharge Requirements Under MARPOL Annex II and V.

There will also be Coast Guard presentations on:

• Update on International Maritime Organization activities as they relate to the marine transportation of hazardous materials.

• Update on U.S. regulations as they relate to the marine transportation of hazardous materials.

• Update on Bulk Chemical Data Guide (Blue Book).

• Update on vessel to vessel transfer of hazardous materials in bulk.

Time has been set aside during sub-committee meetings and the full committee meeting for public comments. Registration is required to present oral statements; contact Patrick Keffler, 202-372-1424, fax 202-372-8380.

Coast Guard Announces CTAC Meeting – 4-8-14

Today the Coast Guard published a meeting notice in the Federal Register (79 FR 14524-14525) for a meeting of the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee. This three day meeting will start on April 8^th and will be held in Houston, TX. Subcommittees will meet the first two days and the final day will be a full committee meeting.

There were some minor security issues raised at the last CTAC meeting, but there were no subcommittee taskings. There were chemical safety issues raised and taskings assigned. Subcommittee meetings may address:

• Carriage requirements for biofuels and biofuel blends;

• Safety standards for the design of vessels carrying natural gas or using natural gas as fuel; and

• Safety standards for portable facility vapor control systems.

The full committee meeting will include receiving subcommittee reports. The Coast Guard will also make presentations on:

• Update on International Maritime Organization as it relates to the marine transportation of hazardous materials;

• Update on U.S. regulations as it relates to the marine transportation of hazardous materials;

• Update on Bulk Chemical Data Guide (Blue Book); and

• Vessel to vessel transfer of hazardous materials in bulk.

The Coast Guard is soliciting public input on the issues to be discussed at the meeting. Written comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal (www.Regulations.gov; Docket # USCG-2014-0098) and should be submitted by April 3^rd, 2014. There will be brief public comment periods at each meeting; advance registration is requested.