NS recognizes 60 companies for safely shipping hazardous products

Norfolk Southern Railway has presented 60 customers with its Chemical Safety Award for safely transporting hazardous products on its rail lines in 2015, the Class I announced earlier this week.

Last year, the award-winning companies delivered 224,660 carloads of chemical products that the federal government regulates as hazardous, NS officials said in a press release.

NS developed the award 20 years ago to recognize customers for their safe handling of chemical shipments. The award is presented to chemical manufacturers and plants that ship at least 1,000 carloads of hazardous products over the railroad without a single incident for the year.

"We congratulate these valued business partners for their industry-leading safety performance," said Alan Shaw, NS' executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "Through their commitment to safe shipping practices, they ensure the well-being of rail and chemical industry employees, the communities that our companies serve, and the environment."

In 2015, 55 companies shipping 213,150 carloads and five plants handling 11,510 carloads achieved the standard.

NS noted four customers in particular that, collectively, safely shipped nearly 88,000 carloads. Those customers are MarkWest Energy Partners LP, Olin Chlor Alkali Logistics Inc., Bridger Logistics LLC and Buckeye Partners LP.

Transported primarily in customer-owned or leased tank cars, the regulated products include crude petroleum, ethanol, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals used to manufacture consumer goods.

A complete list of this year's award winners can be found here.