From November 3 to 5, 2004, at the Marriott Chateau Champlain in Montréal, Transport Canada, in association with the National Marine and Industrial Coalition, hosted the National Marine Conference on Shortsea Shipping. The theme was:

Shortsea Shipping:
The marine contribution to intermodal transportation

Shortsea shipping, which generally refers to the waterborne transportation of cargo and passengers without crossing an ocean, coincides with Transport Canada’s objectives of increasing the integration and efficiency of a Canadian multimodal transportation system. The department is therefore committed to explore shortsea shipping opportunities as a way to improve utilization of waterway capacity, strengthen intermodalism, alleviate congestion, facilitate trade, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Transport Canada’s approach to supporting the integration of shortsea shipping into Canada’s transportation system has so far included hosting eight Regional Shortsea Shipping Consultations in the Fall 2003, signing a Memorandum of Cooperation on Sharing Shortsea Shipping Information and Experience with our NAFTA partners, the United States and Mexico, and launching a Shortsea Shipping Website.

Shortsea shipping can contribute to the overall efficiency of the transportation system and lead to greater integration and cooperation among all involved. Thus, the Conference offered valuable opportunity to discuss ideas to leverage shortsea shipping business opportunities and explore means to overcome system impediments.