The Shipping Federation of Canada’s primary role is to protect and promote the interests of its members on all matters affecting the operation of international shipping.  Towards that end, it plays an active role in all relevant marine policy debates; participates in numerous committees, forums and working group sat the regional, national and bi-national levels; and provides direct input into the regulatory and legislative process. The Federation’s advocacy efforts also extend to increasing public awareness of marine transportation’s integral role in the Canadian economy, with a view to ensuring that public attitudes and perceptions about the shipping industry are based on reality rather than myth.

Key Focus Areas

• Safety:  Working to protect the safety of the crews that operate ships and facilitate their passage from port to port, and the safety of the oceans, waterways and marine environments in which ships sail.  Key issues include marine pilotage, electronic navigation, icebreaker availability, quality shipping and quality coastal states.
• Environment: Promoting marine transportation’s role in a sustainable navigation strategy, while minimizing the environmental footprint created by its activities.  This is achieved through the adoption of a proactive approach to such issues as ballast water, air emissions, GHGs, cargo residues and oceans management; by participating in the development of industry-led initiatives such as the Green Marine Environmental Program; and by working collaboratively with industry stakeholders, governments and environmental groups to find sound solutions to environmental challenges.

• Customs & Security:  Facilitating the free flow of trade (with particular emphasis on border crossings) while ensuring the security of Canada and its marine marine transportation system.  Key issues include import / export requirements for ships and cargoes; contraband interdiction, border security, crewing issues, agriculture and pest control.  
• Trade Routes:  Protecting and enhancing Canada’s trade routes to and from international markets, and ensuring their reliability, flexibility and efficiency.  Key issues include gateway and trade corridor initiatives, intermodal efficiency, ship and port interfaces, international competitiveness. 

• International Framework:  Ensuring that Canada implements the international regulatory framework governing shipping activity in a consistent, streamlined and timely manner.   Key issues include the development and ratification international conventions, the implementation of such conventions in Canada, port state control. 

 

COMMITTEE INPUT

Many of the Federation’s positions are developed with input from its standing committees, which rely heavily on expertise from the Federation’s staff, the general membership, and the industry at large.  The Federation has a number of such committees to address subjects of ongoing and long-term concern.  In addition, ad hoc committees and working groups are formed to deal with specific matters as needed.

            Standing Committees

• Pilotage Committee
• Customs Committee

• Environment Committee
• Seaway Committee

• Passenger Committee

 

REGULATORY COMMENTS