No. H123/03 For release
October 23, 2003 

TRANSPORT CANADA ANNOUNCES
NEW MARINE SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

OTTAWA -- Transport Minister David Collenette today announced a new marine security-reporting requirement for a wide range of Canadian-flagged vessels and port facilities. The Canadian requirement will complement new security rules announced today by the U.S. Coast Guard.

"We have moved ahead with this action in response to input from stakeholders on the importance of a comprehensive security regime, our own assessment of the risks and threats in the marine sector, and our consultations with U.S. authorities," said Mr. Collenette. "Moreover, Transport Canada and the U.S. Coast Guard are working closely together to coordinate and harmonize the marine security regimes of the two countries, so that Canadian-flagged ships that meet our security standards can enter U.S. harbours."

With today's announcement, operators of certain classes of vessels operating on international voyages or on the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway will be required to identify themselves to Transport Canada for marine security purposes. These include:

• cargo vessels of 100 gross tonnage or greater;
• towing vessels greater than eight metres in length engaged in towing certain classes of barge; and
• passenger vessels carrying more than 12 passengers.

Port facilities that serve SOLAS-class vessels must also meet this requirement. SOLAS refers to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of the International Marine Organization and applies to vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more that operate internationally. 

Fishing vessels and pleasure craft are exempt from this requirement.

Once vessel operators have reported, they will be requested to conduct a security assessment and develop a security plan for submission to Transport Canada. Following Transport Canada approval of a vessel security plan, the department will issue the operator a security certificate that will allow them to enter U.S. and Canadian waters. A similar process applies to U.S. vessels under U.S. regulations. 

This approach builds on Transport Canada's commitment to implement new marine security regulations for vessels and port facilities by July 1, 2004, as required by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. 

The deadline for reporting is November 28, 2003. Vessel and port facility operators that have already reported to Transport Canada and are developing security plans need not do so again.  

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BACKGROUNDER

MARINE SECURITY

SOLAS is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, established by the International Maritime Organization, and applies to vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more and travelling in international waters. By July 1, 2004, all SOLAS-class vessels and the port facilities that serve them must meet the requirements of International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. 

Transport Canada is leading efforts with stakeholders to develop and implement the legal/regulatory framework needed to implement the ISPS Code in Canada. This will require: 

• establishing an ongoing marine security stakeholder consultative mechanism; 
• building partnerships with stakeholders and other countries; 
• drafting new regulations; 
• introducing amendments to legislation and regulations where required to correspond with IMO and other related demands; and
• conducting inspection and, where necessary, enforcement activity.

During the late summer and fall of 2003, Transport Canada held a number of meetings with marine stakeholders on ISPS Code issues. The department also formed three working groups, which include representatives of government and the marine sector, to help formulate the regulations in three key sectors of the marine industry covered by the ISPS Code: ships, ports and port facilities, and mobile offshore drilling units. The regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette. 

Today’s announcement means that Transport Canada’s marine security regime will no longer be limited to SOLAS-class vessels and port facilities, but will include:

• cargo vessels of 100 gross tonnage or greater;
• towing vessels greater than eight metres in length engaged in towing certain classes of barge; and
• passenger vessels carrying more than 12 passengers.

Transport Canada has already requested SOLAS-class vessels and the port facilities that serve them to conduct security assessments and to submit security plans on a voluntary basis by January 30, 2004. These plans will facilitate the department issuing International Ship Security Certificates to vessel operators. These certificates are required to comply with the ISPS Code and to gain entry to ISPS Code-compliant port facilities in Canada and abroad. 

Moreover, Transport Canada and U.S. Coast Guard are working closely together to coordinate and harmonize the marine security regimes of the two countries so that Canadian-flagged ships that meet Canadian security standards can enter U.S. harbours and U.S. flagged ships that meet U.S. standards can enter Canadian harbours.

Transport Canada continues to work diligently to further improve the security of the transportation system in Canada and takes all reasonable actions to promote heightened safety and security in all modes of transportation.

October 2003