Mr. Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announced, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, that Transport Canada will provide close to $26,000 in funding for a study on shortsea shipping on the east coast of North America to be conducted by the Faculty of Management of Dalhousie University. Shortsea shipping refers to the movement of cargo and passengers by water along coastlines, to and from nearby islands, or within lakes and river systems, but without crossing an ocean. Increased use of shortsea shipping could also help ease freight transportation congestion and improve air quality. “This study will assist government and industry in realizing shortsea shipping’s potential by shedding light on the challenges that affect it,” said Mr. Regan.