News - 2015

Concerning a column published on February 6, 2016 in the Journal de Québec and the Journal de Montréal, some clarification is necessary on tankers navigating the St. Lawrence River. The MIB would like to point out that:

1. Supertankers
No supertanker has ever travelled the St. Lawrence. By definition, a supertanker is a ship carrying oil and measuring more than 400 m in length. The maximum length of ships navigating the St. Lawrence is currently about 300 m.

Concerning the article published in Le Devoir on November 4, 2015, some clarification is necessary on oil spills involving tankers navigating the St. Lawrence River. The MIB would like to point out that:

Oil spills from tankers are rare in Canada. Since the 1989 grounding of the Exxon Valdez, in Alaska, Canada has taken numerous measures to heighten tanker security, a fact the article fails to mention. These measures prevent spills and make shipping one of the safest, most environment-friendly means of transporting oil. Shipping by tankers is subject to regulations and a very strict, rigorous inspection regime.

Since June 10, a one-stop window has been handling requests from everyone interested in Quebec’s marine transportation industry: the Maritime Information Bureau, or simply MIB. Created by the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES), the MIB is the result of a huge effort to gather information on the Quebec marine transportation industry and make it available in a single, easily accessible place. Since its launch, the MIB window has been open to everyone, journalist, elected officials and the public alike.

Green Marine has signed a nine-month contract with Transport Canada to provide insight on underwater noise generated by shipping and its effects on marine life, along with potential solutions.

Concerning the information on the public health department’s report on atmospheric pollutants in Limoilou that was in the news this week, the Maritime Information Bureau would like to point out that the last dust episode dates from 2012 and that, since then, the Port of Quebec and its partners have invested in implementing mitigation measures.

Concerning the article published in Le Devoir on July 20, 2015, some clarification is necessary on ships’ ballast water management. The MIB would like to point out that:

In theory, aquatic invasive species can be introduced through a ship’s ballast water (water used to maintain vessel stability by controlling the weight distribution in its tanks). However, in practice, Canadian and international regulations (which have existed for years) remedy this problem.

The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, announced on July 7th the launch of the Area Response Planning pilot project. Area Response Planning is one of the Government of Canada’s measures under the World-Class Tanker Safety System that aims to further strengthen Canada’s robust marine safety system.

The pilot areas include:

1. the southern portion of British Columbia, including Vancouver harbour;
2. Saint John and the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick;
3. Port Hawkesbury and the Strait of Canso, Nova Scotia; and
4. St. Lawrence River (Montreal to Anticosti Island), Quebec.

In response to information in the news this week, the MIB would like to inform you. An effective oil spill response system already exists. Currently, numerous response tools are in place for the St. Lawrence, provided by response organizations accredited by Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, etc. As confirmed by Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard, an area response planning pilot project is currently being tested on the St. Lawrence River between Montréal and Anticosti Island.

Key maritime industry players have announced the creation of the Maritime Information Bureau (MIB), a new quick access to experts and information about the marine sector, its spinoffs and its activities in Quebec. The purpose of this single information window is to help the media, elected officials and the public get relevant, factual marine-industry-related information quickly and efficiently.