Mississippi Administrative Code

Each employee shall be bound by this Code of Ethics is as a condition of employment. A violation of this Code by an employee or refusal to sign the acknowledgment page may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension from or termination of employment. Notes 28 Mis…

A violation of this Code by a Commissioner may result in an official reprimand by the MSPA, including termination of appointment, with a letter describing the violation being sent to the public official or public office who appointed the Commissioner to the Port. A violation of t…

All Commissioners, officers and employees have a responsibility to ensure that this policy is followed. Concerns and potential violations should be reported to the designated authorities pursuant to the MSPA Whistleblower Policy as further detailed in Chapter 6 of the MSPA Operat…

While the MSPA Code of Ethics is written primarily with Commissioners and employees in mind, contractors, consultants, agents, and any others who may be temporarily assigned to perform work or services on behalf of MSPA shall abide by and be subject to the provisions of the MSPA …

Every MSPA Commissioner, officer and employee shall observe all laws, specifically including but not limited to Miss. Code Ann. §§ 25-4-101 to 25-4-119, and any other regulations that apply to MSPA activities. When in doubt about the interpretation of the law, clarification must …

No MSPA Commissioner, officer or employee shall use his or her public office or employment for any private gain other than the compensation provided by law. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-3.4 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/2020

Every MSPA Commissioner, officer and employee shall avoid conflicts or the appearance of conflicts between his or her private interests and his or her official responsibilities for the MSPA. Each Commissioner shall complete and file with the MSPA's General Counsel the MSPA's Ethi…

No Commissioner, officer or employee shall make illegal payments of any sort to any person or business entity to influence its actions regarding MSPA. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-3.6 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/2020

MSPA's policy is to award business on merit, without favoritism, by securing the best product or service available taking into consideration the best interests of the Port. The Board of Commissioners of the MSPA shall follow both legal and ethical standards when evaluating and co…

The Board of Commissioners of the MSPA shall not use MSPA funds or assets in support of any political candidate or exert political pressure on employees or vendors. The Board of Commissioners shall ensure that the MSPA does not make political contributions on its own behalf or on…

MSPA has a zero tolerance policy for fraud, and shall make a prompt investigation into the substance of all allegedly fraudulent activity. Each Commissioner, officer and employee shall strive to maintain a work environment free of fraudulence, and shall immediately report known o…

Space in sheds and/or open storage will be assigned on receipt or written application, on prescribed Port Authority form, subject always to available space. Application for space should specify commodity, origin and/or destination, tonnage, date of cargo delivery, date of dischar…

Space assigned will be clean, free of any infestation and suitable in all respects to receive cargo, and acceptance of such space assignment without exception shall be considered an acknowledgement of such good condition and preclude any subsequent claim for damages. Following us…

The facilities of the Port Authority are for storage, unloading, and/or handling of import, export, coastwise, intercoastal and local cargoes, and the Port Authority reserves the right to control and assign space in the Port terminals for the storage, loading, unloading and/or ha…

A penalty assessment equal to the doubling of all applicable tariff charges shall be made against any agency, stevedoring firm or other user utilizing any Port facilities for the loading, unloading, handling, and/or storage of cargo without prior assignment by the Port Authority …

Sheddage, open dock, and/or marginal track use is a charge assessed against a specific vessel, barge, or substitute, for providing warehouse, open area and/or marginal track space for the handling of inbound and/or outbound cargo. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-30.5 Mississippi Code…

Covered cargo sheds, immediately adjacent to wharves and aprons, are intended to directly serve vessels. Covered sheds located a short distance away from wharves and aprons are primarily used for cargo assembly, processing and distribution. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-30.6 Missis…

Generally Upon receipt of Application for Cargo Space Assignment Form, space will be assigned subject to space available, commodity, tonnage, date of receipt of cargo and date of departure of cargo. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-31.1 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 A…

Upon assignment of cargo space the Deputy Director of Operations or his/her designated representative will inspect the shed to ensure it is clean and free of infestation. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-31.2 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/2020

As needed, sheds will be washed clean. Upon washing and if type cargo requires, the Deputy Director of Operations or his/her designated representative will call in the contract pest control company to inspect and treat shed as needed. The cost of the inspection and treatment will…

After cleaning, inspecting and treating is complete the Deputy Director of Operations or his/her designated representative will, in the company of the Stevedore, make a joint inspection of the shed. The Stevedore making application shall receive copies or both warehouse inspectio…

When it is determined that the shed meets the needs and requirements, a Shed Inspection Form will be completed and signed by both the Deputy Director of Operations or his/her designated representative and the stevedore representative. The Shed Inspection Form will include, in add…

When space requirement is completed the Deputy Director of Operations or his/her designated representative and the stevedore representative will again jointly inspect the space. The stevedore will be billed for any cleaning needed and/or damage noted during this inspection. Both …

"Garbage", as regulated by the terms of this agreement, is defined as "all waste material derived in whole or in part from fruits, vegetables, meats or other plant or animal (including poultry) material and other refuse of any character whatsoever that has been associated with an…

The contracted waste disposal company will be responsible for foreign food waste in its possession and will not permit misappropriation of any food items. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-32.10 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/2020

The contracted waste disposal company will use identifiable containers for foreign garbage. Rigid containers shall be lettered with the words "FOREIGN GARBAGE" or a similar acceptable phrase. Letters shall be at least 2 inches high on indoor containers and 4 inches high on outdoo…

The truck/container to be used for a purpose other than hauling foreign garbage must have markings obliterated and be cleaned and disinfected under PPQ supervision prior to such use. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-32.12 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/202…

All regulated garbage is to be kept completely separate from domestic garbage. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-32.13 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/2020

This agreement may be immediately cancelled or revoked for noncompliance or violation of the Federal regulations and may result in a criminal penalty of up to a $5,000 fine and a year in jail, or both, or a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-…

The companies that are approved by the Port Authority for collection and disposal of regulated garbage shall present a training program to all employees before they are permitted to handle and supervise the handling of regulated garbage. A. The training must be approved by the lo…

Disinfectants should be in accordance with the following guidelines: A. 4 percent sodium carbonate solution (soda ash). B. The diluted solution is only mildly caustic but will dull paint and varnished surfaces. Mix in proportion of 40 grams per liter of water. (1.4 oz. per quart)…

Garbage may be removed from the vessel under these provisions: A. All garbage must be placed in double heavy duty, leak proof plastic bags. B. Garbage can only be removed from the vessel under direct supervision of a USDA Officer and a representative of the Port. C. Garbage must …

Recent Veterinary Medical Officer port reviews have indicated the need to restate garbage safeguarding policy for U.S. Navy vessels returning to the U.S. from foreign ports. A. U.S. Navy policy is that no foreign origin meats, produce, or milk products will remain aboard any ship…

In accordance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships. MARPOL 73/78 Annex V effective December 31. 1988. The Port of Gulfport has approved the following companies for collection and disposal of domestic and foreign garbage generated by vessels…

This agreement will be amended as needed to keep it current with revisions of quarantine requirements and shall be reviewed at least once annually. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-32.3 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/2020

The waste disposal company that is contracted to manipulate, handle, or store regulated garbage in a manner approved by the local Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Officer (Paul Smallwood) and in a designated area before disposal. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-32.4 Mississippi …

Storage of regulated garbage in plastic bags must be inside a closed building; if outside, must be in sealed plastic bags in a container with a tight fitting lid. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-32.5 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/2020

The waste disposal company transports regulated garbage directly from the USDA APHIS approved storage container or vessel to the disposal facility in closed leakproof containers without diversion. Regulated garbage incinerated to ash. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-32.6 Mississippi …

Dockside Services is an approved handler by the U.S.D.A. to properly remove, process and dispose of regulated and non-regulated waste. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-32.7 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/2020

The contracted waste disposal company will maintain a log which will include the disposal date and quantity (weight) of the garbage. This log will be made available to PPQ upon request. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-32.8 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/2…

PPQ Officer will be notified of any spillage. Cleaning and disinfecting will be accomplished immediately. A PPQ Officer can be reached at (228) 822-3102 twenty-four hours a day. Notes 28 Miss. Code. R. 301-32.9 Mississippi Code §§ 59-1-1, 59-1-9 and 59-5-21 Amended 12/3/2020…

The Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) of the Port of Gulfport, FTZ No. 92, is located at the entire Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport. The Foreign Trade Zone is a U.S. Customs controlled facility in which certain imported products can be stored, processed and repackaged, or ass…

On a case-by-case basis the Executive Director may grant use of the Gulfport Harbor and Ship Channel to vessels with drafts greater than 30 feet, but not exceeding thirty-six (36) feet, upon a written request of the master, owner and/or agent of the vessel and upon the written re…

This document is intended to establish guidelines and procedures for personnel at the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport ("Port Authority") before, during, and after a tropical storm or hurricane striking in proximity to the Port pursuant to the Mississippi Emergency Ma…

Following a tropical storm or hurricane striking near the Port, the mission of the Port Authority is to: A. First, help local, State, and federal emergency agencies in the immediate protection of life and safety of the public. Second, with the assistance of appropriate State and …

Any person who fails to comply with any order, directive, notice, or other communication issued pursuant to this Chapter may be subject to revocation of driving privileges on properties owned or under the control of the Port Authority, revocation of access rights to any or all of…

Besides this Procedure, the following associated policies and procedures apply: A. Port Authority Terminal Tariff No. 7.1, as amended from time to time, or any successor Port Authority Terminal Tariff; B. Administrative Codes of the State of Mississippi; and C. Port Authority Por…