(a) Each shipper who wishes to ship a bulk solid material not listed in Table 148.10 of this part must determine whether the material meets the definition of any hazard class, or the definition of a PDM, as those terms are defined in § 148.3 of this part.

(b) If the material meets any of the definitions described in paragraph (a) of this section, the shipper then must submit a petition in writing to the Commandant (CG-ENG-5) for authorization to ship any hazardous material or PDM not listed in Table 148.10 of this part.

(c) If the Commandant (CG-ENG-5) approves a petition for authorization, the Commandant (CG-ENG-5) issues the petitioner a Coast Guard special permit. The permit allows the material to be transported in bulk by vessel and outlines requirements for this transport.

(d) A tripartite agreement developed in conjunction with the United States and in accordance with the IMSBC Code (incorporated by reference, see § 148.8) may be used in lieu of a special permit.

(a) A petition for a special permit must be submitted at least 45 days before the requested effective date. Requests for extension or renewal of an existing special permit must be submitted 20 days before the date of expiration.

(b) Requests for extension or renewal must include the information required under § 148.21(a), (f), and (g) of this part.

Each petition for a special permit must contain at least the following:

(a) A description of the material, including, if a hazardous material—

(1) The proper shipping name from the table in 49 CFR 172.101;

(2) The hazard class and division of the material; and

(3) The identification number of the material.

(b) A material safety data sheet (MSDS) for the material or—

(1) The chemical name and any trade names or common names of the material;

(2) The composition of the material, including the weight percent of each constituent;

(3) Physical data, including color, odor, appearance, melting point, and solubility;

(4) Fire and explosion data, including auto-ignition temperature, any unusual fire or explosion hazards, and any special fire fighting procedures;

(5) Health hazards, including any dust inhalation hazards and any chronic health effects;

(6) The threshold limit value (TLV) of the material or its major constituents, if available, and any relevant toxicity data;

(7) Reactivity data, including any hazardous decomposition products and any incompatible materials; and

(8) Special protection information, including ventilation requirements and personal protection equipment required.

(c) Other potentially dangerous characteristics of the material not covered by paragraph (b) of this section, including—

(1) Self-heating;

(2) Depletion of oxygen in the cargo space;

(3) Dust explosion; and

(4) Liquefaction.

(d) A detailed description of the proposed transportation operation, including—

(1) The type of vessel proposed for water movements;

(2) The expected loading and discharge ports, if known;

(3) Procedures to be used for loading and unloading the material;

(4) Precautions to be taken when handling the material; and

(5) The expected temperature of the material at the time it will be loaded on the vessel.

(e) Test results (if required under Subpart E of this part).

(f) Previous approvals or permits.

(g) Any relevant shipping or accident experience (or any other relevant transportation history by any mode of transport).

(a) Each special permit covers any shipment of the permitted material by the shipper and also covers for each shipment—

(1) Each transfer operation;

(2) Each vessel involved in the shipment; and

(3) Each individual involved in any cargo handling operation.

(b) Each special permit is valid for a period determined by the Commandant (CG-ENG-5) and specified in the special permit. The period will not exceed 4 years and is subject to suspension or revocation before its expiration date.

(a) Each special permit holder must comply with all the requirements of this part unless specifically exempted by the terms of the special permit.

(b) Each special permit holder must provide a copy of the special permit and the information required in § 148.60 of this part to the master or person in charge of each vessel carrying the material.

(c) The master of a vessel transporting a special permit material must ensure that a copy of the special permit is on board the vessel. The special permit must be kept with the dangerous cargo manifest if such a manifest is required by § 148.70 of this part.

(d) The person in charge of a barge transporting any special permit material must ensure that a copy of the special permit is on board the tug or towing vessel. When the barge is moored, the special permit must be kept on the barge with the shipping papers as prescribed in § 148.62 of this part.

A list of all special permits issued, and copies of each, are available from the Commandant (CG-ENG-5).