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Jun 16, 2010 2:06 PM

Non-specification cargo tanks currently used to transport diesel fuel, home heating oil, and road oils could be banned under a rule being considered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). This could have a significant impact on petroleum haulers and marketers throughout the United States.

PHMSA has published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to determine whether to harmonize domestic US regulations applicable to combustible liquids with international transportation standards. In Canada, for instance, combustibles are not allowed to be transported in non-spec tank trailers. Full detail on the ANPRM can be found at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7544.pdf.

Many US fleets use MC306 or DOT406 tank trailers that have been downgraded to non-specification to transport combustibles. National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) is calling on these fleets to participate in PHMSA’s public comment period, which runs through July 6.

NTTC also has asked fleets to participate in a survey being conducted by the association. NTTC’s survey deadline is June 21, and can be submitted to jconley@tanktruck.org. Data gathered in the survey will be submitted to PHMSA as part of NTTC’s comments:

1) What combustible materials do you currently transport in non-specification tank trucks or tank trailers?

2) How many non-specification tank trucks or tank trailers do you currently have in combustible liquid service?

3) What operational challenges would you face if these materials had to be transported in specification trailers? What products that you currently haul in non-specification trailers, such as asphalts that are combustible, would be difficult or impossible to haul in a specification DOT406 or MC306 trailer?

4) What would the economic impact be on your fleet if you were no longer able to transport combustibles in non-specification cargo tanks?