About the Author

Steven Charles Hunt
Steven Charles Hunt
Steve Hunt is President of ShipMate, Inc., an internationally recognized dangerous goods training and consulting firm. Prior to starting ShipMate, Inc., he was the Chief of the Port Facilities & Container Inspection Divisions for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Office in Los Angeles-Long Beach. He helped write many of the current rules for the transport of dangerous goods, including HM-181 and HM-126F. Hunt is currently developing a series of online training courses through ShipMateUniversity.com and HazMatU.org. For more info: +1 (310) 370-3600, steve@shipmate.com.
Articles by Steven Charles Hunt
“You Can Observe a Lot Just by Watching!” – Yogi Berra
  I recently completed a dangerous goods compliance review at a client’s warehouse. On the first day, I reviewed their permits and licenses; examined several packages for compliance with domestic and international regulatory requirements; interviewed…
FULL ARTICLE >>
If you’re planning on a Special Permit … plan early!
  Many years ago, I worked at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. I was part of a small group that was responsible, in part, for reviewing special permit applications for those applicants that…
FULL ARTICLE >>
DOT Flip-Flops
  I am actually writing this article while sitting on a beach in Koh Samui, Thailand. I am here on a much-needed vacation. Knowing that I have to pay for this luxury, I brought my…
FULL ARTICLE >>
Back and Forth—Harmonization?
I recently received a phone call from a client that had been shipping aerosols by vessel for years. They claimed that their shipment was stopped because it was not properly classified for transportation. I was…
FULL ARTICLE >>
Two Steps Closer to Harmonization
Two significant milestones toward global harmonization were reached recently. The U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) has eliminated the Consumer Commodity, ORM-D-AIR marking as of Jan.1, 2013, and Transport Canada (TC) has published its proposed amendments…
FULL ARTICLE >>
Small Differences May Have Significant Impacts

FULL ARTICLE >>
Two steps closer to harmonization

FULL ARTICLE >>
DOT’s new rule comes to light
The Jan. 19, 2011 final rule, HM-215K, published by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation’s Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is, perhaps, one of the most significant rulemakings since its landmark rulings, HM-181 (adopts the international standards for hazardous…
FULL ARTICLE >>