A Sustainable Voyage for Canadian Shores
A significant change in Canada’s maritime regulations may have a ripple effect on the cruise ship industry. On Friday, Canada imposed a mandatory ban on cruise ships releasing sewage and contaminated water near its shores. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced in a statement that a series of voluntary anti-pollution measures introduced in April 2022 will now become obligatory. Cruise ships that violate these regulations risk facing fines of up to C$250,000.
Despite the critical role of cruise ships in contributing more than C$4 billion annually to Canada’s economy, the need for more sustainable operations has become paramount. Minister Alghabra emphasized that “cruise ships are an important part of our economy and tourism sector, but they need to operate more sustainably.”
The Impact of New Regulations
The new industry-wide requirements prohibit the discharge of sewage and greywater—drainage from sinks, laundry machines, bathtubs, and showers—within three nautical miles of Canadian shores. In addition, ships in non-Arctic waters will have to improve their treatment systems for sewage and greywater within three to twelve nautical miles from the coast. However, Arctic waters have distinct regulations governing cruise ship pollution.
Environmentalists have raised concerns about cruise ships, particularly those traveling between Alaska and Canada. In 2019, these vessels reportedly dumped 31 billion liters of inadequately treated pollution into Canada’s Pacific waters.
Addressing Scrubber Water Contamination
While environmental groups like West Coast Environmental Law and Stand. Earth supported Minister Alghabra’s announcement, they urged the government to address the leading source of liquid pollution from cruise ships: contaminated water from exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbers. Scrubber water accounts for over 90% of cruise ships’ liquid waste, as it is used to remove sulfur from ships’ fuel. Moreover, the environmentalists also called for the placement of inspectors onboard these vessels.
In response, a spokeswoman for Minister Alghabra disclosed that the Canadian government would collaborate with the shipping industry to explore feasible approaches to minimize or eliminate scrubber water discharge.
A New Dawn for Environmental Responsibility
As Canada spearheads stricter anti-pollution measures for cruise ships, the country’s focus on sustainable operations may create a domino effect. Aligning the cruise ship industry with eco-friendly practices is essential for the preservation of the world’s oceans and the subsequent health of marine life. Through the enforcement of these regulations, Canada sets an example for other nations that seek to mitigate the environmental footprint of the booming cruise ship industry.
