Bill Would Add Security for Hazardous Cargo

A new bill introduced Friday by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., would improve the security of vessels and facilities that ship and receive dangerous chemicals and petrochemicals, including liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.

The Maritime Hazardous Cargo Security Act of 2009 would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to make changes to ensure the safety of the ships and warehouses that move such chemicals as anhydrous ammonia, ammonium nitrate, chlorine, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.

"Ships bringing liquefied natural gas from foreign ports – and the plants along our shores that receive them – must be better secured against terrorism," Sen. Lautenberg said. "This bill would help us protect these ships, facilities that receive them and nearby communities from the potential hazards of high-risk cargoes."

There are limited U.S. Coast Guard resources for the safe handling of especially hazardous cargoes by ship. The proposal, which has the backing of bipartisan leaders on the Senate Commerce Committee and Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Safety, Security, and Infrastructure subcommittee, would require training for Coast Guard personnel who handle hazardous cargoes.

Contact Marcy Behrmann Frank at mfrank@joc.com.