U.S., Canadian Transportation Departments Sign Memorandum of Cooperation on Short Sea Shipping

U.S. Secretary of Transportation for Policy Jeffrey N. Shane and Transport Canada Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Kristine Burr signing Memorandum of Cooperation on Short Sea Shipping. Click here to enlarge photograph.

The United States and Canada today announced an agreement to share Short Sea Shipping information and experience. U.S. Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Jeffrey N. Shane and Transport Canada Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Kristine Burr signed the agreement in Washington, DC.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta acknowledged the need for the agreement and said, "Canada is America’s largest trading partner and freight traffic between our countries is expected to increase dramatically over the next 20 years. New options for reducing border freight congestion are critical, therefore, to both the Canadian and U.S. economies."

U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. William G. Schubert, left, and Emile Di Sanza, Director General, Marine Policy at Transport Canada, right, with Jeffrey N. Shane and Kristine Burr, following signing of the Short Sea Shipping Memorandum of Cooperation. Click here to enlarge photograph.

Transport Minister David Collenette stressed the importance of working together. "The signing of this agreement demonstrates the close ties and excellent working relationship between the two departments," he said. "This is also a good example of Transport Canada’s commitment to working with foreign partners and stakeholders to enhance marine transportation as a safe, efficient and reliable component of our transportation system."

Short Sea Shipping will help ease freight transportation congestion and improve air quality by encouraging the movement of cargo and passengers by water over short distances along coastlines, to and from nearby islands, or within lakes and river systems.

The Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) will facilitate increased transportation productivity, and energy efficiency by applying advanced ideas and concepts to Short Sea Shipping.

The MOC will enhance collaboration between the DOT and Transport Canada. The two departments have agreed: 

• to collaborate and cooperate with each other in sharing knowledge and information on Short Sea Shipping technology in all appropriate situations;

• to support research and development efforts of mutual benefit through the exchange of information and experience;

• to keep each other informed of policy decisions, directives, and changes that may affect them whenever possible; and

• to aid in each other’s efforts to promote the concept of Short Sea Shipping when opportunities arise.

Click here to view agreement in English (MS Word)

Click here to view agreement in French (MS Word)

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