Federal Maritime Commissioner Daniel B. Maffei: “If we find the petition has merit, we must not allow even our greatest trading partner to greenwash unfair protectionism.”
The Federal Maritime Commission has actually elected all to approve an application submitted by the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) that affirms that ballast water guidelines suggested by the Government of Canada will certainly victimize U.S.-flag vessel drivers.
In its request, the Lakes Carriers’ Association insists that “Transport Canada, an agency of the Government of Canada has proposed adoption of regulations requiring LCA’s members who operate vessels that operate exclusively on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River (such vessels are commonly termed ‘Lakers’) to install a ballast water management system (BWMS) to treat
ballast water that is loaded in Canada and discharged in the United States, even though that
requirement is of no environmental benefit to Canada. The regulations would result in driving
these U.S. vessels entirely out of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River (cross-Lakes) U.S.
export trade to Canada.”
In approving the LCA request, claims the FMC, it elected to launch an examination of the certain accusations stated in their request, to collect info as well as to get public remarks. Based on that particular examination, the Commission will certainly take into consideration all choices, legal solutions, as well as assents that are offered under Section 19( 1 )( b) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, as modified (Section 19), ordered in 46 U.S.C. ch. 421.
The examination will certainly take a look at the hinderance as well as injury to the UNITED STATE flag fleet arising from the suggested guidelines.
The Commission has actually long been worried regarding the suggested Canadian ballast water guidelines as well as the impact it will certainly carry the UNITED STATE flag Laker fleet. These issues have actually been shared to Transport Canada in conferences as well as phone meetings for numerous years.
By approving the LCA request as well as starting the examination, the Commission is not making an existing decision that the suggested Transport Canada guidelines are biased; nonetheless, if the LCA request accusations are corroborated with the Commission examination, after that the Commission will certainly remain in setting to act expeditiously.
Section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, gives the Commission with authority to explore as well as permission biased problems triggered by regulations, guidelines, or guidelines of international federal governments. If the Commission locates that such guidelines lead to problems negative to delivery in a U.S.-foreign profession, after that Section 19 gives the FMC with numerous solutions that consist of: imposing penalties on vessels calling at UNITED STATE ports, banning vessel calls at UNITED STATE ports, as well as limiting freights that might be lugged in between the UNITED STATE as well as the international nation.
The Commission will certainly release a Federal Register notification in the coming week that will certainly supply added information regarding this activity.
Federal Maritime Commissioner Daniel B. Maffei provided the adhering to declaration:
I compliment the Commission’s consentaneous activity to approve the request of the Lake Carriers Association as well as launch an examination right into the ballast water guidelines suggested by the Government of Canada.
As a citizen of the Great Lakes area, I recognize the requirement to shield the environments in the lakes from intrusive varieties as well as exactly how crucial it is that we have an excellent connection with our Canadian close friends.
That stated, I likewise recognize the value of the UNITED STATE lake service providers to the area’s economic climate as well as the nation in its entirety. Ensuring the UNITED STATE lakers get on also footing with their Canadian equivalents is important.
If there is a possibility the Government of Canada is making use of the International Maritime Organization ballast water regimen as a justification to deal with UNITED STATE flagged vessels unjustly, the Commission should explore. If we locate the request has value, we should not permit also our best trading companion to greenwash unreasonable protectionism.
Daniel B. Maffei is a Commissioner with the UNITED STATEFederal Maritime Commission The ideas as well as remarks shared right here are his very own as well as do not stand for the setting of the Commission.
Download the Lake Carriers Association request HERE
