Canadian Ship Owners Congratulate Prime Minister (elect) Trudeau and All Elected Members of Parliament

OTTAWA, Oct. 22, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA) and its member companies are pleased to congratulate Prime Minister (elect) Trudeau and recently elected Members of Parliament. CSA looks forward to collaborating with the federal government in growing domestic short sea shipping as part of a larger Canadian supply chain.

"The Canadian marine industry connects Canada's economic capacity with the rest of the world," says Robert Lewis-Manning, President of the Canadian Shipowners Association. "Not only does it generate nearly $35 billion of revenue annually, but it also creates 98 thousand jobs directly and indirectly for Canada in the region of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River" 

CSA identified several election objectives and is eager to work with the Liberal government to achieve them. These include:

1. Investing in marine infrastructure such as ports and the St. Lawrence Seaway, and addressing the urgent need to procure and/or charter ice breakers for the Canadian Coast Guard;
2. Promoting Canadian jobs and environmental protection by leveraging a robust Canadian shipping industry that employs Canadian expert seafarers;
3. Promoting economic growth through harmonized and streamlined regulations that increase supply chain efficiency. This includes immediately addressing the challenges faced by Canadian ship owners under US ballast water regulations.

Marine transportation is the safest and most sustainable form of transportation. "Canadian ships with highly skilled Canadian mariners have been safely carrying commodities for decades with minimal environmental impact in Canadian waters," Lewis-Manning adds. "Canadian companies are making significant investments in new vessels, technologies, and training. Our member companies are constantly striving to improve safety practices, reduce our environmental footprint, and support commerce.

The Canadian Shipowners Association represents Canadian domestic vessels operating on the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, the Canadian East Coast, and the Canadian Arctic.

SOURCE Canadian Shipowners Association

Image with caption: "Logo: Canadian Shipowners Association (CNW Group/Canadian Shipowners Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151022_C7208_PHOTO_EN_526470.jpg

Robert Lewis-Manning, President Canadian Shipowners Association, 613-232-3539 ext. 1