I. PURPOSE
The rule establishes a hazardous materials plan that includes the following components, policies, and procedures regarding the storing and handling of hazardous materials; incident reporting and response procedures within GPA’s jurisdiction; and specified roles and responsibilities relevant to the proper notification, segregation, and response to hazardous material transiting GPA facilities.

II. POLICY
GPA is dedicated to the safety of its employees, tenants, and the community. It is GPA’s policy to comply with all relevant provisions of 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 126, 49 CFR Part 176, and any temporary orders mandated by the United States Coast Guard, Captain of the Port (COTP).

III. LEGAL AUTHORITIES
In accordance with OCGA § 52-2-7, GPA is authorized to make necessary rules and regulations for its government. This policy aligns its purpose with federal regulations governing its operations. GPA will comply with relevant provisions and requirements outlined in 33 CFR, Part 126, 49 CFR, Part 176, and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) as it relates to storage, segregation, and hazardous material response procedures. GPA requires all shippers to comply with all rules and regulations outlined in this policy. GPA reserves the right to reject any hazardous or dangerous cargo.

IV. US COAST GUARD REGULATIONS
All hazardous and dangerous goods are subject to subject to regulation by the United States Coast Guard. All pertinent placards and documentation for hazardous and dangerous cargoes are necessary while on terminal. See rule 5-149 US Coast Guard Regulated Cargo.

V. HAZARDOUS CARGO BERTH ASSIGNMENT
Given the nature of hazardous cargoes of class 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 5.1, 6.2, 7, and 9, berth assignment is restricted to the following at Garden City Terminal and Ocean Terminal
     Garden City Terminal: CB3 through CB7
     Ocean Terminal: OT1

VI. SHIPSIDE DELIVERY AND RECEIVAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURE
Given the nature of certain hazardous cargoes, GPA requires shipside delivery (import) and shipside receival (export) of cargoes of classes 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,1.5, 5.1 Ammonium Nitrate, 6.2, 7, and 9 UN 3536 Energy Storage System (ESS) Units.

Ocean carriers are required to provide notice 48 hours in advance and approval by GPA is required before proving service.

Ocean carriers may apply for hazardous shipside delivery or receival by contacting [email protected] and [email protected]. Ocean Carriers must provide all documentation including, but not limited to, applicable USCG permits, hazardous materials documentation, trucking company name and contact information, driver name and contact information, vessel and voyage information, and container number (s).

All hazardous shipside deliveries and receivals require Port Police escorts to and from vessels. If approved for shipside services, Ocean Carriers may contact [email protected] for escort information.

For shipside import containers, the departure of the truck must be immediate. Departure is only authorized through Gates 1 or 5 at Garden City Terminal, and Gate 3 at Ocean Terminal as directed by Port Police. Containers must be interchanged on dock. Interchange is the responsibility of the stevedore. If there is a failure of arrival of a truck upon discharge, a penalty of $3,044.11 will be assessed, per container. A daily storage rate of $2,314.88 will apply, and no free time will be given regardless of any other provisions in separate agreements with GPA. After 5 days, GPA has the right to secure removal from the terminal. Any charges associated with the removal will be assessed to the Ocean Carrier as per rule 5-181. See Note 1.

For shipside export containers, the receival must be coordinated such that the truck does not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to vessel load. Truck arrival is only through Gates 1 or 5 at Garden City Terminal and Gate 3 at Ocean Terminal. Containers must be interchanged on dock. Interchange is the responsibility of the stevedore. Export containers will be the last to load. The driver must remain with the cargo until loading. If there is a failure to load, the driver is required to be escorted, with the container, back out of the terminal. A penalty of $562.03 per container will be imposed. See Note 1.

This rule does not apply to class 9 cargo shipped in containers, vehicles, or equipment that includes lithium-ion batteries as integral components such as electric vehicles, battery-powered machinery, or similar items. It does not apply to containers classed under UN 3536 Energy Storage Systems.

Note 1: No storage is allowed for hazardous classes 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 5.1 Ammonium Nitrate or 6.2. For hazardous classes 7 and 9 UN3635 Energy Storage System Units, with 48 hours notice and approval from [email protected] and [email protected], limited storage may be granted. Failure to receive approval, classes 7 and 9 UN3536 Energy Storage System Units must follow above shipside procedure. All other hazardous classes may be stored in accordance with normal terminal operating procedures.

VII. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Transport and Segregation Operations
All transport, segregation, and storage operations involving hazardous materials will be managed by a designated member(s) of GPA’s operations department. The designated member will be the primary point of contact for all hazardous storage and segregation matters. All hazardous materials authorized for storage will be segregated in accordance with requirements outlined in 49 CFR part 176. Electronic access to Title 49 CFR can be acquired from https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse.

All hazardous containers require placards for acceptance at GPA terminals. GPA reserves the right to reject any hazardous cargo that may be deemed unsuitable for segregation and storage.

Import and Export Vessel Operations
Stevedores must ensure communication with GPA to ensure adequate and authorized terminal space prior to and during vessel operations. GPA Marine Operations will maintain a copy of 49 CFR Part 176.

GPA will monitor assigned areas for compliance with the terminal space allocated for hazardous cargo. GPA’s yard management team will conduct facility assessments at least three (3) times daily to ensure proper segregation of all hazardous cargo on terminal.

VIII. EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION AND RESPONSE

Spills Aboard Vessels
Ocean carriers become aware of any hazardous material release on board a vessel shall notify GPA’s Ship Operations Department prior to the vessel’s arrival. The ocean carrier is also responsible for notifying the USCG of leaking container(s), identifying the cargo, and communicating plans to contain the leak aboard the vessel. GPA does not allow leaking container(s) to be discharged from a vessel until the on-site HAZMAT team has identified and secured the leak. GPA will work on a case-by-case basis, in close coordination with the USCG’s Marine Safety Unit (MSU), on any incident regarding leaking containers aboard a vessel. Ocean carriers shall notify the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure the incident does not constitute a violation of the Federal Jones Act or Merchant Marine Act of 1920.

Notifications and Response to Vessel Spills
GPA’s Port Police Department must be notified of a vessel spill and/or release approved for facility discharge before GPA’s Ship and Container Operations departments, and the designated hazardous material contractor act in concert to store the cargo. GPA’s Port Police Department must notify GPA’s Emergency Manager; document the incident; and support mitigation and response efforts The Emergency Manager will ensure that the Ocean Carrier has complied with all reporting obligations per Rule 5-007.

Notification and Response to Facility Spills
If a hazardous or nonhazardous material incident occurs within the jurisdiction of GPA, the Port Police Department will be notified immediately by calling 912-963-3911 or by GPA radio channel L-24. GPA’s Security Operations Center (SOC) must immediately dispatch Port Police to the scene and notify GPA’s Emergency Manager and the Emergency Management Team as directed by the Emergency Manager or on-scene supervisor. The Emergency Manager will ensure that the Ocean Carrier has complied with all reporting obligations per Rule 5-007.

Responding officers will remain upwind and assess the scene to determine what immediate emergency actions are required. The on-scene Port Police supervisor will assume the role and responsibilities of Incident Commander (IC) and ensure the scene and area is secure. Responding officers will exercise discretion in area evacuations, utilizing the outlined guidance within the current Emergency Response Guide (ERG) and available Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) as an immediate reference. GPA may at its option engage Third-Party vendors to provide emergency response services, including but not limited to spill/leak containment or cleanup. All charges related to the emergency response services shall be billed per MTOS 5, Rule 5-181.

The discharge or release of any hazardous cargo container that has been identified as the source of a release, spill, and/or leak will not be authorized without the approval of the USCG. However, with USCG approval, transport of a damaged container to a mitigation area may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.

Emergency Assistance and Mutual Aid
In the event outside resources or support is required to mitigate an immediate life safety risk, the SOC will act as the central communications point for outside first responders. Emergency notifications to the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department’s Communications Division will be made by calling “911.” GPA’s Emergency Manager may also request assistance from the local emergency management agency to support prolonged response and recovery efforts. The Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) mobile Emergency Operations Center (EOC) may be requested and utilized as the on-scene incident command post, as approved by CEMA staff. The SOC may be directed to make official requests for support by calling the CEMA Duty Officer direct at (912) 201-4500. The on-scene IC is responsible for managing the incident until properly relieved. A transfer of command will not occur until an official command briefing is conducted and documented.

The discharge or release of any hazardous cargo container that has been identified as the source of a release, spill, and/or leak will not be authorized without the approval of the USCG. However, with USCG approval, transport of a damaged container to a mitigation area may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.

Emergency Contacts
In the event of any spill or release, or hazardous material-related emergency, contact the Port Police Department immediately. Port Police may be contacted by calling 912-963-3911, or by rail channel L-24.