OTTAWA – The plan to ‘commercialize’ ports and the St. Lawrence Seaway moves in the right direction but the government is botching some of the details, the owners of seaway cargo ships complained last week.
Norman Hall, president of the Canadian Shipowners Association, told MPs the legislation fails in that it leaves in place the $10 million-per-year requirement that non-crew pilots be used as guides on each ship which navigates the seaway.
He repeated a long-standing demand that when they are judged competent to do the job, ships’ masters and officers be certified to pilot the ships
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It would be more efficient and reduce costs for the shipowners who now must use unionized pilots.
Hall said the government, by adding cost-recovery charges and refusing to get rid of such unnecessary costs as the independent pilots, risks making the fleet of 100 ships noncompetitive.
“We are ready to pay our fair share of services required but not imposed costs,” he said.
“The government cannot have it both ways.”
He said rail deregulation and increased railway competition for cargo that traditionally has moved through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway has produced serious challenges for the Canadian freighter fleet.
Hall said shipowners are not looking to jeopardize safety.
In fact, he said the freighters are being equipped with the most modern electronic navigational equipment available.
“The Canadian shipowners are willing to put their money where their mouth is,” he told MPs.
Hall also criticized how the government is going about turning ports over to local control.
He said the new Canada Marine Act will force ports to pay their own way but will restrict their ability to raise money.
The government plans to transfer operation of the seaway to a coalition of user groups Jan. 1. Hall said shipowners agree with that plan.
