Read the Latest News Affecting the Tank and Terminal Industry

Safeguarding European Intermodal Rail Transport Logistics
Tank News
March 30, 2020
Europe is increasingly turning to rail during the COVID-19 crisis to move goods and supplies between national borders. The coronavirus crisis, which has hit Italy particularly hard, has made it difficult to move goods by truck or tanker.

EPA Issues Waiver to Avert Potential Summer Fuel Shortage
Transport Topics, March 30, 2020
In response to concerns of a gasoline shortage this summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a waiver to the low volatility and blending limitations, so that upstream retailers and wholesalers could fill their storage tanks with summer gasoline beginning May 1.

U.S. Aims to Lease Space in Emergency Oil Stockpile, After Buying Plan Canceled, Sources Say
CNBC, April 1, 2020
The Trump Administration announced plans April 1 to lease space within the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve to energy companies after plans for the purchase of U.S. oil by the administration were canceled due to lack of funding.

Pipeline Operators Ask Oil Companies to Stop Production as Storage Fills Up
Oil & Gas 360, March 30, 2020
With stay-in-place orders nearly nationwide, and an ongoing Saudi Arabia-Russia price war, gasoline consumption in the U.S. has tanked and storage capacity is maxing out fast. So much so, that pipeline operators are asking that oil companies stop producing, said Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton.

TC Energy to Build Keystone XL Pipeline 
Markets Insider, Marc 31, 2020
TC Energy Corporation announced last week that it will proceed with the Keystone XL Pipeline with an investment of $8.3 billion. The 1,200-plus miles of pipeline will be capable of carrying 830,000 bpd of crude oil from Hardisty, Alberta to Steel City, Nebraska, and is scheduled to enter service in 2023.

Iowa Regulators Agree to Doubling Volume for Dakota Access Pipeline
The Gazette, March 27, 2020
Despite years of dissention from various groups, regulators in Iowa have approved a request to double capacity on the Dakota Access pipeline. Operators Energy Transfer Partners said an increase in demand prompted the request, but U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered a full environmental review and requested briefs from both sides as to the need for doubling capacity at this time.

Congress Reforms Harbor Maintenance Funding
AJOT, March 30, 2020
While the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Act provides money for coronavirus research and to Americans, it also provides appropriations that will increase spending from the Harbor Maintenance Fund.

GulfMark Energy Names New President
Rigzone, March 31, 2020
GulfMark Energy has appointed Greg L. Mills as company president effective March 30, 2020. Mills comes to GulfMark with more than 20 years' experience in the midstream industry, most recently as Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations at Energy Transfer Partners.

ILTA Will ‘Safely Continue’ Operations in Face of COVID-19
Tank News Int'l, Mar. 24, 2020
In a statement to its terminal members, ILTA announced they would be "safely continuing vital operations during COVID-19," while monitoring the on-going situation and adjusting practices as needed or requested.

EPA May Change Compliance Requirements Amid Coronavirus Outbreak: WSJ
Daily Beast, March 24, 2020
In response to the economic impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Environmental Protection Agency is considering waiving compliance mandates and deadlines for oil refineries, water utilities and other industries, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

The Port of Houston Is Open for Business
FOX 21 Delmarva, Marc 24, 2020
Despite a county-wide, stay-at-home order for residents, the Port of Houston's 200-plus public and private terminals are open for business. Port authorities report that safety protocols have been implemented for maritime transportation workers, port employees and truck drivers, and will continue to be evaluated as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds.

Curacao Seizes PDVSA Oil Terminal in Dutch Caribbean Over Dispute 
Reuters, March 20, 2020
Officials with Curacao's state-owned oil refinery Refineria de Korsou announced last month the seizure of a Venezuelan oil storage terminal on the island of Bonaire. Citing a payment dispute, Curacao will seek approval in a Dutch court to sell Bonaire Petroleum Corporation's terminal if no payment is received.

Homeland Security Identifies Critical Workers
Nebraska Farmer, March 20, 2020
Deeming the fertilizer industry as essential to the country's infrastructure, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has also deemed fertilizer employees as essential and required to work to whatever extent possible during the crisis.

ATA Hails Streamlining of Security Credentialing Process for Truck Drivers
Fleet News Daily, March 12, 2020
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration will now allow drivers who already hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential to more expeditiously obtain a hazardous materials endorsement without additional cost or security assessment.

Alexander Says Barges And Boats Should Be Able To Use New Chickamauga Lock As Early As 2023
The Chattanoogan.com, March 11, 2020
Congress has finally appropriated enough funds to complete the Chickamauga Chamber Lock project. Authorized in 2003 and ongoing for the past six years, the project will receive appropriations from the 2021 budget request to finish the job and be open to barges and small boats by 2023, said Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN).

STB Issues Final Rule Focused on Rail Demurrage Regulations
FASTLANE, March 11, 2020
The Surface Transportation Board announced that a final ruling clarifying the regulation of demurrage will take effect April 3, 2020. The ruling will amend regulations governing class exemptions on products such as steel, paper and boxcar transportation.