Canada looks to tighten ballast water regulations

Transport Canada, the government entity dealing with maritime regulations and policies, will accept applications for research funding from Canadian vessel owners, operators, Canadian Port Authorities, not-for-profit organisations, public sector organisations and academia.

Vessels need to use a ballast water management system (BWMS) to comply with the regulations and reduce the risk of introducing and spreading aquatic invasive species in Canada.

The objectives of the BWIP are twofold: Firstly, to provide funding to implement projects that will support industry efforts to advance ways to address technical challenges with the installation, operation and maintenance of BWMS on vessels in the Great Lakes and St Lawrence river region (GLSLR).

Last week, Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra announced funding of C$12.5M (US$9.2M) to launch the BWIP.  This will be central to Canadian efforts to implement and enforce the 2021 Ballast Water Regulations and to help reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species in this region by investing in innovative ballast water management methods.

The programme will help industry tackle technical and operational challenges specific to the Great Lakes and St Lawrence river region. Transport Canada notes most ballast water management systems were developed for warmer salt-water conditions encountered by oceangoing vessels. In contrast, the GLSLR sees cooler water temperatures, freshwater conditions and heavy sedimentation rates. 

Secondly, the BWIP will increase the availability of data on the installation, operation and maintenance of ballast water systems in the GLSLR to inform the implementation of the regulations and inform Canada-US discussions about regulatory compatibility.

Project results will enable Transport Canada to deepen its technical expertise relating to unique Canadian ballast water management system issues and support Canada’s international collaboration with the United States and R&D efforts with the International Maritime Organization.

Transport Canada will be accepting applications until 10 May 2023. Approved projects are expected to begin in 2023.