Cruise ships will now be subjected to fines of up to CA$250,000 for non-compliance with these measures under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. Credit: Arda Altinay via Shutterstock.

Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra has announced mandatory environmental measures for cruise ships.

The measures concern discharges of greywater – the drainage from sinks, laundry machines, bathtubs and showers, or dishwaters – and sewage – wastewater from bathrooms and toilets.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The new mandatory measures for cruise ships, which are effective immediately, include prohibiting the discharge of greywater and treated sewage within three nautical miles from shore where geographically possible across Canada.

The new measures also include “strengthening the treatment of greywater together with sewage” before it is discharged between three and twelve nautical miles from shore south of 60°N, using an approved treatment device in non-Arctic waters. Transport Canada says that this will complement existing regulations for Arctic waters under the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act.

Cruise ships are required to comply with reporting these measures in Canadian waters upon request.

See Also:

Transport Minister Alghabra said: “Cruise ships are an important part of our economy and tourism sector but they need to operate in a more sustainable manner to protect our waters and our environment.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“The [new] measures are additional tools in our toolbox to keep them accountable. We are committed to continuing to work with industry to implement these measures, keeping our coasts clean for Canadians to enjoy.”

The new measures are being implemented by an Interim Order, which has the same effect as a regulation in Canada but allows for action to be taken immediately while the process for making the regulations mandatory for the longer term is being implemented.

The Canadian government announced these measures last year for the cruise ship industry on a voluntary basis, but cruise ships will now be subject to fines for non-compliance with these measures of up to the maximum permitted CA$250,000 ($189,800m) under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.

These measures “will better protect Canada’s oceans and the marine environment”, according to Transport Canada. The Canadian government says it is working to conserve 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025 and 30% by 2030.