Application of garbage management plans and garbage record-keeping on ships of 100 Gross Tonnage and more

Transport Canada (TC) wishes to gain a better understanding of the potential impact of implementing the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Action Plan measure, which proposes to review the applicability of placards, garbage management plans, and extend the application of garbage record-keeping to ships of 100 Gross Tonnage (GT) and more[1]. The objectives of this review are to: a) identify challenges for and impacts on the Canadian shipping and fishing industries; b) identify how the resultant changes in processes of handling garbage and plastic litter onboard may help achieve the overall pollution reduction objectives if such an extension is implemented in Canada; and, c) assess how the changes will impact on the capability of TC to administer the applicable programs, including implementation, compliance oversight and enforcement. The results will also assist TC with assessing and developing its policy position in regards to the IMO’s implementation of this measure as well as inform domestic policy approaches.

[1] Constitutes approximately 73 meters in length as per https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/tonnage-measurements