Tag: Canada

As part of its earlier announced efforts to address the problem of abandoned boats across Canadian coastlines, the Government of Canada announced the most recent applicants to receive funding under the Abandoned Boats Program, implemented under the Ocean Protection Plan.

Responding to a long-standing campaign by the country’s seafaring unions, the Government of Canada has agreed that Canadian seafarers will have the first right to be employed in any available maritime jobs on vessels from all flag states working in Canadian waters.

Following a last year announcement that it would fund a research to assess the impact of shipping in the marine environment, the Government of Canada now awarded a contract to ESSA Technologies to look at tools to assess the cumulative impacts of shipping on coastal marine ecosystems.

Canada’s lead Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel the future HMCS Harry DeWolf, was launched on September 15, marking a significant milestone for the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the Royal Canadian Navy’s combatant fleet. HMCS Harry DeWolf is the largest Royal Canadian Navy ship built in Canada in 50 years.

Under an agreement with the Canadian Coast Guard, wreck removal specialist Ardent Global LLC. completed the removal of the oil that was still in the storage tanks of the 'Manolis L' wreck. The Liberian-flagged timber carrier sank in Newfoundland and Labrador's Notre Dame Bay in 1985.

Emissions associated with oil and gas production are a significant source of greenhouse gases, according to a new study by Stanford University. The study revealed that burning of unwanted gas associated with oil production – or else known as flaring – remains the most carbon-intensive part of producing oil.

As part of its efforts to secure a sustainable marine environment for the years to come, the Government of Canada announced a $26.6 million in funding from the Oceans Protection Plan for research to help better understand noise pressures on marine mammals.

Last week, Canada introduced new rules for whale watching and approaching marine mammals, which will provide a minimum approach distance of 100 metres for most whales, dolphins and porpoises to legally protect these animals from human disturbances.

Canada has bought three icebreaking anchor handlers from Viking Supply Ships. These icebreakers will be used by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). The first vessel will start operation in December, with the other two being delivered during 2019. The vessels are 'Tor Viking,' 'Balder Viking' and 'Vidar Viking'.

The Government of Canada announced an agreement in principle for the transfer, as of 30 March 2020, of the ports of Matane, Gaspé, Rimouski and Gros-Cacouna to the Government of Quebec, under the Port Facility Transfer Program, which is expected to contribute to the sustainability of these facilities.