Moving towards a shortsea shipping strategy for North America

Industry, stakeholders and members of the international community are meeting in Vancouver from April 18 to 20, 2006 to participate in the “North American Marine Conference – Towards a Shortsea Shipping Strategy for the North American Continent.”

The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Lawrence Cannon, will be on hand to welcome participants and give the opening address on April 19, 2006. Minister Cannon will also meet with United States and Mexican officials and key marine stakeholders on a variety of transportation related issues.

“This conference is an excellent opportunity to promote shortsea shipping as a means to improve the performance of the national transportation system and to contribute to environmental sustainability,” said Minister Cannon. “It will also serve as a public venue to discuss business opportunities and highlight obstacles related to shortsea shipping.”

Approximately 250 participants from Canada, the United States, and Mexico are expected to attend. Transport Canada is hosting this conference in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico.

The event is the result of collaboration between Canada, the United States and Mexico following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on Shortsea Shipping in 2003.

The conference also represents a commitment among the three nations to increase the security, prosperity and quality of life in North America.

Shortsea shipping involves the movement of cargo or passengers by water over relatively short distances. It can occur within lakes and river systems and along coast lines. It consists mainly of domestic shipping but can also include cross-border traffic. It does not include shipping across the world’s major oceans.

Canada’s marine transportation system is a vital component of the North American economy and Transport Canada is committed to its ongoing economic vitality and efficiency. The department continues to work with its Canadian and international partners to promote more effective, efficient and sustainable shortsea shipping practices.

The official Transport Canada release is available here and more information about the event can be accessed on the official web site.

Tags: shortsea shipping, strategy, north america, partners, vitality, efficiency, canada, us, sustainable, freight