No. H098/04 For release November 3, 2004 OTTAWA - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced the opening of the National Marine Conference on Shortsea Shipping, which is taking place November 3 to 5 in Montreal, Quebec. The conference is being held by Transport Canada in association with the National Marine and Industrial Coalition, which comprises leading maritime organizations. "Canada's marine transportation system is a critical component of the North American economy and Transport Canada is committed to the marine sector's ongoing economic vitality," said Mr. Lapierre. "This conference is an excellent opportunity to further explore and promote the use of shortsea shipping on our waterways, to increase efficiency and possibly reduce costs." Shortsea shipping refers to the movement of cargo and passengers by water along coastlines, to and from nearby islands, or within lakes and river systems, but without crossing an ocean. Increased use of shortsea shipping could also help ease freight transportation congestion and improve air quality. The conference will further investigate the contribution of shortsea shipping to intermodal transportation (i.e., transportation involving more than one form or mode such as road or rail). The goal is to stimulate shortsea shipping opportunities in Canada and to assist in developing a common shortsea shipping agenda. The topics covered in the conference include modal integration, market prospects, regional and international perspectives, and public policy viewpoints. Transport Canada has committed to explore opportunities to promote shortsea shipping which could help alleviate road congestion, facilitate trade, improve use of waterway capacity, promote modal integration and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Transport Canada's approach to supporting the integration of shortsea shipping into Canada's transportation system has so far included hosting eight regional shortsea shipping workshops in Fall 2003, signing a Memorandum of Cooperation on Sharing Shortsea Shipping Information and Experience with NAFTA partners, launching a shortsea shipping website, and participating in research work. - 30 - Contact: Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 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.
