Canada Issues Speed Restriction Fine To Hapag-Lloyd’s Containership

Transport Canada Issues Another Fine For Non-respect Of The Speed Restriction In The Gulf Of St. LawrenceTransport Canada continues to take action to help ensure navigational safety and to protect the marine environment.

Image Credits: hapag-lloyd.com

A penalty of $6,000 has been issued to the vessel Mississauga Express for alleged non-compliance while a temporary mandatory speed restriction was in effect. The vessel owner has 30 days to pay the penalty or to ask the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada to review the facts of the violation or the amount of the penalty.

The temporary mandatory slowdown of vessels 20 metres or more to a maximum of 10 knots was in place from August 11, 2017 to January 11, 2018 due to the increased presence of whales in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence, between the Quebec north shore and just north of Prince Edward Island.

While the shipping industry in general was proactive in respecting the speed limit in the designated area, Transport Canada continues to verify all reported cases of non-compliance while the temporary mandatory slowdown was in effect.

The Government of Canada is working with the maritime industry, science experts, and US partners to monitor the situation and find more permanent solutions. Transport Canada will not hesitate to impose the speed restriction again if the whales migrate back to the area.

“Our government is determined to promote the safe coexistence of ship traffic and the marine environment in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We took forceful action in response to the whale deaths in the area and we will continue to take all appropriate measures to ensure their safety.”

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

Reference: canada.ca