Vancouver, March 8, 2018 – The Chamber of Shipping wishes to stress the urgent need for Canadian railways to meet the service expectations of shippers and customers as it relates to the prompt shipment of all commodities and containers to and from Western Canadian ports.  The importance of a predictable and well-functioning supply chain cannot be overemphasized as supply chain efficiency is critical to the competitiveness and environmental sustainability of Canadian ports. Trade growth, which is further enabled through agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) being signed today in Chile by Canada’s Minister of International Trade, requires that our internal systems and networks are reliable and prepared for further growth.   At present, the lack of fluidity and congestion in the supply chain has caused an undesirable number of vessels to wait at anchor until sufficient cargo is available for loading. This inefficiency has negative consequences on coastal communities in addition to extra costs that make Canadian gateways less competitive. Every year, commercial shipping results in…

Vancouver, February 22, 2018 – The Chamber of Shipping welcomes the Government of Canada’s announcement of further details concerning the review and modernization of anchorage operations as part of the Oceans Protection Plan. The success of the Canada’s international trade through its western gateways continues to put pressure on the need for anchorages when fluidity of the supply chain is challenged during the winter months.The current framework for managing anchorages throughout the South Coast of British Columbia has not been coordinated in a manner that addresses the impacts on coastal communities. The Interim Anchorage Protocol implemented on February 8, 2018 was developed with the support of the Chamber of Shipping, Pacific Pilotage Authority, and the Vancouver and Nanaimo port authorities, in an effort to immediately lessen the impact of vessels in anchorages where possible. During the period of the Interim…

VANCOUVER, Feb. 6, 2018 /CNW/ - The Chamber of Shipping reiterates its commitment to the protection of the Southern Resident Killer Whale and other threatened and endangered species. This commitment includes ongoing and substantive actions to mitigate the effects of vessel-generated noise and physical disturbance, many of which are developed through multi-stakeholder efforts such as the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation program spear-headed by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. A coalition of non-governmental organizations has recently petitioned the Government of Canada to implement an Emergency Protection Order under the Species at Risk Act, including recommendations related to commercial shipping. While our sector is supportive of action to address all anthropogenic threats, such action must be considered with a complete understanding and appreciation of the complexity of operating large commercial vessels safely, all while avoiding unintended safety, operational, or ecological consequences.…

Vancouver, November 28, 2017 – This weekend’s marine incident off British Columbia’s Central Coast involving an articulated tug and barge operation in gale force winds highlights the need for improved risk prevention and management for Canada’s coastal waters. B.C.’s Central and North Coast is one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world, has enormous cultural significance to the people who live there, and contains important resources for British Columbia’s economy - protecting it should be a priority. While the response actions by the vessel’s crew, the Canadian Coast Guard, and supporting commercial vessels in adverse conditions was heroic, this incident demonstrates the urgent need to focus efforts on preventing such incidents. “The concerns of the Heiltsuk First Nation and coastal communities are notable and reflect both an innate understanding of the environment and commitment to protect it,” stated the…