Cananda Chamber of Shipping on Anchorage Operations
The Chamber of Shipping welcomes the federal government’s announcement of details concerning the review and modernization of anchorage operations as part of the Oceans Protection Plan.
Commercial shipping results in $30 billion of economic activity annually in Canada and, at 1.8% of the Canadian economy, ships move more than $200 billion worth of goods to and from global markets. From farmers to retailers, many Canadian jobs depend on a healthy and thriving trade environment supported by a robust and fluid marine transportation network.
The current framework for anchorage operations for the South Coast of British Columbia is not optimized for efficient commercial operations and results in unnecessary costs, delays, unpredictability, and impacts on certain coastal communities.
As trade in this region is expected to increase, the time has arrived to develop a more holistic approach to managing the marine supply chain, which should include anchorage operations and elements of proactive ship management and enhanced maritime situational awareness.
“This is a real opportunity for productive dialogue and for solutions to be developed through an evidence-based approach,” stated the Chamber’s President, Robert Lewis-Manning.
Commercial ships calling on ports in Canada frequently require anchorage in waters in the vicinity of ports, terminals, and waterways. This occurs in most Canadian coastal and inland waterways for a number of reasons.
While not an exhaustive list, ships can anchor to await a berth, to clear customs and other flag state administrative procedures, to conduct urgent corrective maintenance, or to await passage through a confined area such as a lock or river - anchorage operations are an integral part of the national supply chain.
The Chamber of Shipping looks forward to being an active participant in all forthcoming discussions regarding a new national anchorage framework. We have critical input and industry expertise to share, and are keen to continue working with the Government of Canada and all other stakeholders to develop a robust, sustainable approach that facilitates marine trade as safely and responsibly as possible.
