ARA, TFI Seek Clarity on Cargo Tank Registration Requirements
Mar 12 2026
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), in partnership with The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), has formally requested regulatory clarification from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regarding cargo tank registration number requirements for inspection-only operations.
In a joint letter submitted March 12, ARA and TFI asked PHMSA to confirm that companies conducting cargo tank inspections only are required to maintain a single cargo tank registration number, rather than separate numbers for each inspection location. Current industry practice has long followed this approach, and neither the Hazardous Materials Regulations nor existing PHMSA guidance clearly require per facility registration for inspection-only activities. ARA and TFI emphasized that this interpretation supports consistency, accountability, and safety by allowing companies to centrally track inspections, inspectors, locations, and dates—information that remains readily accessible to regulators and field staff when needed.
The letter also reaffirmed the fertilizer industry’s strong commitment to nurse tank safety. Nurse tanks play a critical role in delivering anhydrous ammonia—one of the most nitrogen rich fertilizers—to American farms, and ARA members continue to invest heavily in compliance, inspections, and safety training. ARA will keep members informed as PHMSA responds to the interpretation request.