No. H012/04 For release April 5, 2004 OTTAWA - Proposed amendments to the Marine Transportation Security Regulations that strengthen security requirements for vessels, marine facilities and ports were announced today by Transport Minister Tony Valeri. "A secure, strong marine industry is vital to Canada's dynamic economy," said Mr. Valeri. "These regulations will surpass the International Maritime Organization requirements and help ensure that Canada's marine transportation system remains one of the most secure in the world." The proposed amendments will implement the requirements of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, as well as amendments to its Safety of Life at Sea Convention, 1974. The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations which focuses on the improvement of safety at sea and the prevention of pollution from vessels. The IMO's Security Code requires that all commercial vessels of 500 tons (gross tonnage) or more, or carrying more than 12 passengers and travelling between countries, and marine facilities serving such vessels, perform security assessments, complete security plans and designate security officers. In addition to implementing the IMO requirements, Canada's regulations will extend these requirements to: port facilities in Canada; cargo vessels of 100 tons (gross tonnage) or more; and towing vessels greater than eight metres in length that tow barges carrying dangerous goods in bulk. "The 2004 budget secured an additional $605 million over five years for security," added Mr. Valeri. "These funds will be used to address security priorities, which could include marine security enhancements at port and port facilities ¿ a priority for the Government of Canada." Transport Canada's latest marine security initiative builds on significant actions already taken by the Government of Canada to enhance marine security since September 11, 2001. These actions include, among others: requiring vessels to provide at least 96 hours advance notice before they enter Canadian waters; introducing new boarding protocols to improve the response to threats before vessels arrive at Canadian marine facilities or ports; establishing enhanced security procedures, in partnership with the United States, for vessels entering the Great Lakes ¿ St. Lawrence Seaway system; working with international partners to develop new marine international security requirements; and committing $172.5 million for a broad range of initiatives to enhance the security of Canada's marine transportation system and maritime borders including the use of aerial surveillance and vessel monitoring systems, such as automatic identification systems which will enhance Canada's ability to track vessels entering and operating in Canadian waters. The proposed amendments to the Marine Transportation Security Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette Part I on April 3, 2004. Interested parties have 30 days to comment before the regulations are finalized for implementation. The regulations will be in place to meet the International Maritime Organization's July 1, 2004 deadline for implementation of the Security Code requirements. A backgrounder on marine security and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code is attached. -30- Contact: Christina Van Loon Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 Bernard Pilon Transport Canada Communications, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. BACKGROUNDER MARINE SECURITY- INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT FACILITY CODE The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations which focuses on the improvement of safety at sea and the prevention of pollution from vessels. On July 1, 2004, the IMO's International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code will take effect. The ISPS Code applies to commercial vessels of 500 tons (gross tonnage) or more travelling between countries and marine facilities and ports serving such vessels. Canada is implementing the ISPS Code requirements through its Marine Transportation Security Regulations. During the late summer and fall of 2003, Transport Canada held a number of meetings with marine stakeholders on ISPS Code issues. The department also formed four working groups, which included representatives of government and the marine sector, to help formulate draft regulations in key sectors of the marine industry covered by the ISPS Code: vessels, marine facilities, mobile offshore drilling units and Marine Facility Restricted Area Access Clearance Program. Moreover, Transport Canada and U.S. Coast Guard have worked closely together to coordinate and harmonize the marine security regimes of the two countries so that Canadian-flagged ships that meet Canadian security standards can enter U.S. harbours and U.S.-flagged vessels that meet U.S. standards can enter Canadian harbours. The harmonized standards will surpass the ISPS Code's mandated threshold of 500 tons (gross tonnage) or more, by requiring that all Canadian-flagged and American-flagged vessels that undertake international voyages, carry 12 passengers or more and 100 tons (gross tonnage) or more conduct vessel security assessments and develop vessel security plans. In addition to implementing the IMO requirements, Canada's regulations will extend these requirements to: port facilities in Canada; cargo vessels of 100 tons (gross tonnage) or more; and towing vessels greater than eight metres in length that tow barges carrying dangerous goods in bulk. Transport Canada requested that vessels meeting both the Canada-U.S. and the ISPS Code criteria, and the marine facilities that serve these vessels, conduct security assessments and submit security plans by January 31, 2004. Verification of these assessments and plans will be completed by the end of May 2004, after which the department will issue International Ship Security Certificates to vessel operators. These certificates are required to comply with the ISPS Code as of July 1, 2004 and to facilitate entry to ISPS Code-compliant marine facilities in Canada and abroad. Transport Canada continues to work diligently to further improve the security of the transportation system in Canada and takes all reasonable actions to promote heightened safety and security in all modes of transportation. April 2004
