FREDERICTON — A special permit to transport liquid bulk commodities with a self-steering, four-axle semi-trailer may now be obtained, New Brunswick Transportation Minister Denis Landry announced.

Liquid bulk commodities are unpackaged free-flowing liquids that are loaded in an approved tanker trailer without being placed in bottles, bags, boxes, barrels or small tanks, or in any other similar containers, or hand-stowed.

The vehicle must be equipped with an electronic anti-rollover system. Its gross vehicle weight cannot exceed 55,500 kilograms, and it must be equipped with an onboard mechanism to determine the axle weights. These vehicles meet the performance standards set by the Transportation Association of Canada, and they will only be allowed to operate on provincial highways rated for this weight.

“This new permit is part of our continuing effort to help companies be more efficient and help us on our way to being a fully self-sufficient province over the next 20 years,” Landry said. “We are also updating our trucking policies and regulations in support of the Atlantic Gateway initiative.”

Applications for the special permits for liquid bulk loads may be obtained by calling the special permit office at 506-453-2982.