The Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA) and its member companies have congratulated the country’s newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Members of Parliament, saying that they look forward to collaborating with the new federal government in growing domestic short sea shipping as part of a larger Canadian supply chain.

CSA identified several election objectives and is eager to work with the Liberal government to achieve them.

These include:

• Investing in marine infrastructure such as ports and the St. Lawrence Seaway, and addressing the urgent need to procure and/or charter ice breakers for the Canadian Coast Guard;
• promoting Canadian jobs and environmental protection by leveraging a robust Canadian shipping industry that employs Canadian expert seafarers; and
• promoting economic growth through harmonized and streamlined regulations that increase supply chain efficiency. This includes immediately addressing the challenges faced by Canadian ship owners under US ballast water regulations.

“The Canadian marine industry connects Canada’s economic capacity with the rest of the world,” said Robert Lewis-Manning, President of the CSA.

“Not only does it generate nearly CAD 35 billion of revenue annually, but it also creates 98 thousand jobs directly and indirectly for Canada in the region of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.”

The CSA represents Canadian domestic vessels operating on the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, the Canadian East Coast, and the Canadian Arctic.