46 CFR part 148: bulk solid materials requiring special handling
The United States Coast Guard regulation that incorporates the IMSBC Code by reference and sets the domestic regime for bulk solid materials requiring special handling.
46 CFR part 148, Carriage of Bulk Solid Materials That Require Special Handling, is the United States Coast Guard regulation governing solid bulk cargoes with a hazard in United States waters. Its current shape comes from the harmonization rulemaking published at 75 FR 64591 on 19 October 2010, which aligned the domestic regime with the international one.
The IMSBC Code is incorporated by reference at 46 CFR 148.8, and 46 CFR 148.55(b) is the equivalence route: a bulk solid material classed, described, stowed and segregated in accordance with the IMSBC Code may be offered, accepted and transported within the United States. The carve-out is a material listed in Table 148.10 that is not itself subject to the Code, which may not move on that basis. Commandant (CG-ENG-5) may authorize alternatives, including exemptions to the Code.
The part is arranged in six subparts: A general, B special permits, C minimum transportation requirements, D stowage and segregation, E special requirements for certain materials, and F additional special requirements. Packaged dangerous goods by vessel remain under 49 CFR part 176, and 49 CFR part 173 supplies the proper shipping names. The full article will cover the subparts, the Table 148.10 list and the special permit practice.