Canadian Transportation Agency Symbol of the Government of Canada

Resolving Marine Disputes

Marine disputes can involve user fees at ports, charges for pilotage services, or coasting trade applications for foreign or non-duty paid ships to work in Canadian waters.

The Agency examines marine complaints on the following topics:

  • disputes related to coasting trade applications;
  • tariffs proposed by pilotage authorities;
  • fees fixed by port authorities;
  • final offer arbitration of northern resupply carrier disputes; and
  • unreasonable price increases or reductions of service by a shipping conference.

Fees for pilotage services

In 2008-09, tariff proposals or amendments were published by four pilotage authorities:

  • the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority;
  • the Atlantic Pilotage Authority;
  • the Pacific Pilotage Authority; and
  • the Laurentian Pilotage Authority.

The Agency did not receive objections to these tariff changes.

Fees set by port authorities

No complaints were filed with the Agency in 2008-09 regarding fees set by port authorities. However, during 2008, Bill C-23 – amending the Canada Marine Act – received Royal Assent.

This Bill strengthened the operating framework for Canada Port Authorities by modifying the current borrowing regime, providing for access to contribution funding and clarifying some aspects of governance.

For more information on resolving marine disputes,
go to www.cta.gc.ca/eng/marine-disputes.