A key element that distinguishes the Federation from other marine associations is the wide range of operational services it provides, which members view as an essential support to their Canadian operations.  As described below, these services are designed to facilitate regulatory compliance, avoid or minimize disruptions in ship operations, facilitate the management of operational costs, and ensure that members receive the necessary levels of service from government agencies and marine service providers:

• Customized advice on relevant legislation, regulations, and operating procedures
• Tools and services webpage that provides easy access to relevant government regulations, forms, contacts, etc.
• Subject-specific tools and training:
  • Code of practices for ballast water management
  • Directions to ships' masters on ballast water management
  • Training sessions on Canadian ballast water regulations
  • Code of best practices on bilge water management
  • Training sessions on transportation of dangerous goods
• Web based handbooks on:
  • Marine reporting to customs
  • Surviving a customs audit
  • Handling crew changes, stowaways and deserters
  • Key elements of the marine transportation security clearance program

Ice advisers contact list

Oil spill response contracts

 

Operational Efficiency

• Navigational reports
• Water levels information
• Emergency contact details
• Situation reports and crisis management
• Pre-season ice meeting
• Pre-season Seaway meeting

 

Operational Costs

• Manual of Port Expenses (covering all eastern Canadian ports and updated annually)
• Representations to regulatory authorities on relevant tariffs and fee schedules
• Negotiation of fees charged by service providers
• Preferred vendor programs (IT interface for Customs reporting, agents’ liability insurance)
• Recommended schedule of agency fees

 

Levels of Service

• Liaison with relevant government departments (Transport Canada, Coast Guard, St. Lawrence Seaway, CBSA, Health Canada)
• Management of industry complaints regarding levels of service (e.g. tugs, pilots, ports, dredging, nautical maps, icebreaking, etc.)
• Appeals to and mediations with Canadian Transportation Agency
• Legal challenges of government actions