The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has formally initiated its investigation of pending Canadian ballast water regulations alleged to be unfavorable and detrimental to US flag Laker vessels. The Notice specifies how interested parties can communicate with the Commission in this matter and establishes a deadline for filing comments 30 days following publication of the Notice in the Federal Register. If the regulations are finalized as proposed, they would require vessels in Canadian waters to develop and implement a ballast water management plan to be imposed upon US flag vessels when loading ballast water after offloading export cargo at Canadian ports. Canada contends that the proposed regulations are required pursuant to an International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaty to which Canada is a party, but which the United States is not a signatory.
