Canada signs joint declaration on port state control with the United States and Mexico

Canada has signed, with the United States and Mexico, a joint declaration on port state control during an international maritime conference in London. The declaration is in response to discussions held during a meeting of a North American Free Trade Agreement transportation consultative group held two years ago and will serve as a framework to improve the safety of shipping.

Port state control is the enforcement of rigid controls to ensure that foreign vessels are in compliance with strict safety and anti-pollution standards established by various international marine treaties. If a major deficiency is found during a port state control ship inspection, the ship is detained until the deficiency is corrected.

“This declaration contains measures that will improve enforcement and harmonize procedures for inspecting, detaining and reporting substandard vessels. This international collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment to safer ships and cleaner seas, as well as acceptable working and living conditions on board ships,” said Transport Minister David Collenette.

By signing this declaration, the maritime authorities for all three countries agree to strengthen cooperation, harmonize training, inspection, detention and reporting procedures, support and encourage the efforts of the International Maritime Organization to enhance shipping standards and compliance, record unwillingness by flag states to adequately control their ships, plan the adoption of comprehensive criteria for flag state administrations and ship registers, and publish detailed information on inspection and detention statistics regularly.