USA fires a salvo across the Great Lakes at Canadian legislators

The US Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) has asked the US authorities to investigate proposed Canadian regulations on ballast water in the region. The US Federal Maritime Commission has voted to initiate an investigation of the specific allegations set forth in their petition, to gather information and to solicit public comments.

Based on that investigation, the Commission will consider all options, statutory remedies, and sanctions available under Section 19(1)(b) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, as amended (Section 19), codified in 46 USC ch 421.

The investigation will examine the detriment and harm to the US flag fleet resulting from the proposed regulations.

The Commission has long been concerned about the proposed Canadian ballast water regulations and the effect it will have on the US flag Laker fleet. These concerns have been expressed to Transport Canada in meetings and phone conferences for several years.

By accepting the LCA petition and initiating the investigation, the Commission is not making a current determination that the proposed Transport Canada regulations are discriminatory; however, if the LCA petition allegations are substantiated through the Commission investigation, then the Commission will be in position to act expeditiously.

Section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, provides the Commission with authority to investigate and sanction discriminatory conditions caused by laws, rules, or regulations of foreign governments. If the Commission finds that such regulations result in conditions unfavorable to shipping in a US-foreign trade, then Section 19 provides the FMC with several remedies that include: levying fines on vessels calling at US ports, prohibiting vessel calls at US ports, and restricting cargoes that may be carried between the US and the foreign country.

The Commission will publish a Federal Register notice in the coming weeks that will provide additional details about this Commission action. The Great Lakes has unique fauna and flora that is still being discovered.

Riviera will host a series of free to attend 45-minute webinars on subjects ranging from hybrid, electric and fuel cells, gas carrier tankers and terminals and maritime leaders among many others commencing 5 May 2020. Find a list of the webinars and register your interest now