No. H149/05
For release June 29, 2005
OTTAWA — Mr. Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans today
announced, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, that Transport Canada
will provide close to $26,000 in funding for a study on shortsea shipping on the
east coast of North America to be conducted by the Faculty of Management of
Dalhousie University.
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.
“This study will assist government and industry in realizing shortsea
shipping’s potential by shedding light on the challenges that affect
it,” said Mr. Regan. “Studies such as these are important in
order for industry to compete effectively.”
“This project will highlight how effective current government policies
are at resolving the shortsea shipping industry’s challenges and help
determine if they could be improved,” said Mr. Lapierre. “Funding of
these initiatives furthers the sustainability, efficiency and integration of
transportation systems in Canada.”
The purpose of the study is to examine the potential for shortsea shipping
activities on the east coast of Canada and the United States by developing
insights into current and future freight flows along the Atlantic Coast. It will
also review the combination of modes by which goods are currently transported.
Partners in the study – which will cost close to $52,000 – include:
Dalhousie University, which will be contributing close to $11,000; the Halifax
Port Authority, which will contribute $15,000; and Transport Canada. The Port of
Halifax is an expanding hub for domestic and international intermodal cargoes.
Funding for this project comes from the Transportation Planning and Modal
Integration Initiative, part of the Government of Canada’s $600 million
Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program. This program, which was announced on
April 3, 2001, has two main components: a $500 million highway
construction component and a $100 million national system integration component.
From the integration component, $5 million is available for academic research
studies or applied transportation initiatives that advance transportation planning
and modal integration in urban areas and along transportation corridors.
Funding for this initiative was provided from the existing financial
framework.
A backgrounder outlining the Transportation Planning and
Modal Integration Initiative is attached.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Robin Browne
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
John MacDonald
Director, External Relations
Faculty of Management
Dalhousie University,
Halifax, NS.
(902) 494-2542
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
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
AND MODAL INTEGRATION INITIATIVE
The Government of Canada’s vision for transportation includes a more
integrated transportation system in which all modes work better together.
The national transportation system is more than the sum of its parts; it
involves connections between and the integration of various modes and
jurisdictions. A sustainable and efficient transportation system plays an
important role in ensuring Canada’s competitive success in global trade
where integrated logistics chains with global reach are increasingly in
competition with one another.
Intermodal transportation requires that the physical and electronic connections
between different modes of transportation, such as, rail and marine, be fully
integrated in order to increase system efficiency and reduce total transit time
and costs. New technologies, improvements to traditional infrastructure and the
harmonization of regulations are important in designing systems and managing the
increasing demands on transportation infrastructure.
An integrated transportation system requires that transportation needs be
considered from a system-wide and strategic perspective. Such an integrated system
requires planning and feasibility studies to assess transportation needs from a
multi-modal perspective. By supporting the development of transportation-related
expertise and research in the public, private and academic sectors, Transport
Canada is fostering the innovation required to help our transportation system
adapt to current and future challenges.
Funding for Transportation Planning and Modal Integration Initiatives is part
of the Government of Canada's $600 million Strategic Highway Infrastructure
Program (SHIP), which was announced on April 3, 2001.
For further information on SHIP, please visit our website at
www.tc.gc.ca
June 2005
