Marine Vessel Loading Operations: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
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Rule Summary
On March 2, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed amendments to the 2011 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Marine Tank Vessel Loading Operations, also known as the MTVLO NESHAP. The MTVLO NESHAP covers loading operations at refineries, bulk terminals, chemical plants and pipeline terminals where liquid commodities (such as crude oil, gasoline, and other fuels or chemicals) are pumped from above-ground storage tanks into a marine vessel compartment. This may include the loading of multiple marine tank vessels during one loading operation but does not include refueling of marine tank vessels.
This action proposes amendments that are expected to yield significant emission reduction results without imposing burdensome cost on the industry. As proposed, this action would reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) by approximately 280 tons annually and volatile organic compounds (VOC) by approximately 3,500 tons annually. These pollutants include benzene, toluene, hexane, xylene, methanol, and ethyl benzene.
Rule History
03/4/2026 - Proposed Rule: Air Toxics Standards for Marine Tank Vessel Loading Operations (pdf)
04/21/2011 – Final Rule (April 2011) (pdf) (564 KB)
10/21/2010 – Proposed Rule (October 2010) (pdf) (536 KB)
09/19/1995 – Final Rule (September 1995) (pdf) (357 KB)
05/13/1994 – Proposed Rule (May 1994)
Additional Resources
Documents from the 2026 Proposed Rule
Rule Text Changes in Redline-Strikeout (RLSO): Proposed Amendments to the MVL NESHAP (pdf)
View the supporting documents in the docket folder to find additional related documents to the rules.
Documents from the 1995 Final Rule
Marine Tank Vessel Loading: 1995 Air Toxics Regulation Fact Sheet
Related Rules
Bulk Gasoline Terminals: New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)
Benzene Transfer Operations: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
Guideline Series: Control of Volatile Organic Emissions From Bulk Gasoline Plants (txt)
Control of Volatile Organic Compound Leaks From Gasoline Tank Collection Systems (txt)
Design Criteria For Stage I Vapor Control Systems Gasoline Service Stations (txt)
Control Of Hydrocarbons From Tank Truck Gasoline Loading Terminals (txt)