Marine Safety Risk Assessment

"Transport Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard and Environment Canada, is commissioning a pan-Canadian risk assessment study on readiness to respond to ship-source spills in Canadian waters.

"Building on previously conducted risk assessments, this study will analyze and evaluate the risk of oil or chemical spills occurring in Canadian waters as a result of incidents involving ships or oil handling facilities. It will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will examine the likelihood and potential impacts of oil spills in Canadian waters, including the Arctic. The second phase will look at the risks associated with chemical spills.” The study will focus on different types of incidents including collisions, fire, explosions, structural failure and loading/off loading operations.

The risk assessment will provide the Government of Canada with key information to support continuous improvements to marine safety.

In order to retain marine and risk experts, a request for proposals was posted on the Government Electronic Tendering Service known as MERX (www.merx.com). The contracting process is managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada. The contract award is expected to be announced in early spring.

The Government of Canada has already provided Canada with a strong marine safety system with measures that include a requirement for double-hulled tankers, mandatory pilotage of vessels and enhanced requirements for navigational tools. For more information, please visit the Transport Canada website at www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/menu-4100.htm. "