The Canadian Shipping Federation has urged the federal government to allocate investment funds in its 2016 budget to the renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard’s icebreaking fleet.
According to the Shipping Federation, which represents the owners, agents and operators of ships involved in Canada’s world trade, the country’s icebreaking fleet is currently made up of over-aged vessels which are very thinly spread over a vast expanse of water.
“The resulting lack of icebreaking capacity is undermining Canada’s ability to build and maintain a robust supply chain, which is essential to both the Canadian economy and the social and economic well being of Northern communities,” the Shipping Federation said.
A number of federal reviews over the years highlighted the need for a realistic plan to replace the existing icebreaking fleet.
“The current plan to rely on the construction of a single polar class icebreaker, which was commissioned by the previous government at a cost of over USD 1 billion for delivery in 2022 at the earliest, is not a viable solution,” the Shipping Federation added.
Canada’s 2016 Federal Budget includes investments in the transportation infrastructure and strengthening of the Canadian Coast Guard.
“A strong marine transportation system is a key means of ensuring that Canada’s exports and imports can move safely and efficiently through Canadian waters and reach their respective markets,” Federation President, Michael Broad, said.
From the mid-1980s until the mid-2000s there were no significant investments in the large vessel fleet, the Canadian Coast Guard said in its 2010/11 – 2014/15 investment plan.
As a result, over half the large vessel fleet has exceeded its operational life and all vessels were past the half-way point in their recommended operational life, the coast guard added.