Waterborne Dry and Liquid Bulk Carriers Laws and Regulations

Learn the laws and regulations waterborne dry and liquid bulk carriers must adhere to

By Renee Baumgardner
Waterborne dry and liquid bulk carriers are not only a component of the transportation industry but are an integral part of the nation’s economy as well. Dry bulk carriers, as the name implies, transport dry goods such as grains, lumber, vehicles and flammable solids. Liquid bulk carriers may transport petroleum and chemicals.

Like the trucking industry, the maritime shipping industry also has regulations it must follow to ensure employee safety and uniform practices and procedures. Laws and regulations that waterborne dry and liquid bulk carriers must follow include those pertaining to:

1. Admiralty and maritime laws pertaining to maritime bulk transport

2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards

3. Transportation of hazardous materials

 

Learn admiralty and maritime laws regarding waterborne dry and liquid bulk carrier shipping

Waterborne dry and liquid bulk carriers must adhere to admiralty and maritime laws established by the Code of Federal Regulations. Relevant Code of Federal Regulation titles that apply to dry and liquid bulk shipping include, but are not limited to, Title 19 Customs Duties, select chapters of Title 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters, Title 40 Protection of the Environment and select chapters of Title 46 Shipping.
Try: The Admiralty and Maritime Law Guide and Cornell University Law School are two resources one can utilize to research and learn waterborne dry and liquid bulk carriers laws and regulations, as identified in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Learn Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for maritime bulk carriers

As with other industries, liquid and dry bulk carriers must adhere to standards established by OSHA aimed at protecting the welfare of workers. Title 29 of the Federal Code of Regulations outlines such standards for individuals working in shipyard, marine terminal and longshoring environments. Activities addressed by OSHA include guidelines for maintenance of safe conditions, gas welding and cutting, guarding of deck openings and edges, working in confined or isolated spaces and safety plans.
Try: To review OSHA standards that ocean bulk carriers must abide by, reference the Occupational Safety & Health Administration and United States Government Printing Office websites.

Learn the hazardous waste laws for ocean bulk carriers

Just as trucking companies that transport hazardous materials on land have to adhere to laws and regulations, so do liquid and dry bulk shipping companies that transport hazardous materials on the sea. Hazardous materials regulations that maritime bulk carriers are subject to include properly stowing and securing cargo and ensuring all chemicals are properly classified and labeled. Shipping companies are to also conduct safety drills and make sure the vessel has first aid supplies, protective clothing and materials to clean up hazardous materials should a situation arise.
Try: Vessel Operators Hazardous Materials Association offers regulatory codebooks related to International Maritime Dangerous Goods, the stowage and securing of cargo and the classification and labeling of chemicals. LabelMaster Software provides the Code of Federal Regulations regarding hazardous materials.