Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73
§3716 Tank washings
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part B— - Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › Chapter CHAPTER 37— - CARRIAGE OF LIQUID BULK DANGEROUS CARGOES › § 3716
Summary
Ships may not load cargo at a U.S. port if, before arriving, they dumped tank washings that contain oil or hazardous material in a way that breaks U.S. law or a treaty. The Secretary must set up and run controls to make sure this rule is followed.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §3716
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)A vessel may not transfer cargo in a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States if, before arriving, the vessel has discharged tank washings containing oil or hazardous material in preparation for loading at that port or place in violation of the laws of the United States or in a manner or quantities inconsistent with a treaty to which the United States is a party.
(b)The Secretary shall establish effective control and supervisory measures to carry out this section.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 371646:391a(18) section 3716 requires the Secretary to establish effective control and supervisory measures to prohibit the discharge of tank washings by dumping at sea. The section also prohibits the dumping vessel from subsequently loading any cargo at a port or terminal subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. This section is intended to prohibit the practice of discharging a cargo of oil or hazardous substance, then going to sea to clean tanks by pumping tank washing mixtures overboard, and then returning to a port or terminal subject to the jurisdiction of the United States for the purpose of loading a cargo that was incompatible with the prior cargo.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 3716
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73