No. H047/02For release - May 6, 2002
OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced that Canada will host the 35th meeting of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Port State Control Committee. The annual meeting will be held in Halifax from May 6 to 9, 2002, and will focus on issues such as the performance and effectiveness of the MOU and its members, external relations, and the training of port State control officers.
Port State control (PSC) is the enforcement of strict safety and environmental standards established by various international maritime treaties to govern foreign vessels. PSC has proven to be the most effective way to detect, deter, and eliminate substandard ships.
"The Government of Canada is committed to eradicating sub-standard ships that pose a threat to maritime safety and our environment," said Mr. Collenette. "Transport Canada, together with its MOU partners, strives to reach this goal by globalizing port State control and harmonizing standards across the world."
The Paris MOU on PSC is an official document in which 19 maritime authorities (including Canada and 18 European states) agree to implement a harmonized system of inspection procedures. Canada was accepted as the first non-European signatory to the Paris MOU in May 1994. The MOU is designed to increase the ability of Canada and the European states to inspect and detain foreign ships visiting their ports.
Canada is also signatory to the Tokyo MOU on port State control (comprising Canada and 18 Pacific Rim states). Canada was one of the founding members of the Tokyo MOU, and has been a member since its inception in December 1993. As a member of both MOUs, Canada serves as a bridge that joins the Pacific Ocean, and the Tokyo MOU, to the Atlantic Ocean, and the Paris MOU.
"The Government of Canada welcomes this first opportunity to host a Paris MOU on Port State Control Committee meeting," added Mr. Collenette.
The Port State Control Committee serves as the executive body of the Paris MOU. It deals with matters of policy, finance and administration, and meets annually with representatives from the 19 MOU members, as well as observers from the International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization. This year's meeting will also be attended by representatives from the Tokyo and Caribbean MOUs, Estonia, and the United States Coast Guard.
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Contact:
Marie-Josée DuboisCommunications, Ottawa(613) 993-0055
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