The following is the text of a news release from the Chamber of Marine Commerce:
(OTTAWA) — The Chamber of Marine Commerce and the Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA) have announced a merger agreement that will create a strong, united voice for commercial shipping in Canada and the United States.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Chamber of Marine Commerce will assume the assets, liabilities and staff of the CSA. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, the merged entity will continue to be called the Chamber of Marine Commerce.
“We’re uniting two organizations that have successfully promoted the interests of commercial marine shipping for many decades. Both associations recognize that we have many shared goals and issues and that combining our resources will make us a much stronger advocate for the future growth of our industry,” said Wayne Smith, chairman of the Chamber of Marine Commerce.
Allister Paterson, chairman of the CSA, said, “One of our common objectives is to foster a harmonized and efficient regulatory climate throughout the bi-national Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region and along the eastern seaboard and northern coasts. Our combined teams will now be working in tandem to deliver that message to the public, media and all levels of government in Canada and the U.S.”
Brian Benko, a member of the Chamber of Marine Commerce’s board of directors and vice president of procurement at ArcelorMittal Dofasco, said, “The chamber represents a uniquely broad spectrum of marine shipping stakeholders, including industrial customers like ArcelorMittal Dofasco. The merger allows for the association to increase its effectiveness on behalf of all members to ensure the Great Lakes-Seaway system remains a cost-efficient, competitive way to transport goods within North America and to overseas destinations.”
The memberships of both industry associations formally approved the merger on Sept. 28.
About the Chamber of Marine Commerce
The Chamber of Marine Commerce is a bi-national association that represents more than 150 marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as domestic and international ship owners. The chamber represents the interests of its members by addressing government issues affecting marine transportation. Advocacy extends to federal, state/provincial and municipal levels of government.
About the Canadian Shipowners Association
The Canadian Shipowners Association has been representing the interests of Canadian companies with domestically flagged vessels for over 100 years. The association advocates in the development of marine policy, regulations and operational matters for ship owners operating vessels in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Waterway, Arctic and eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada.
