Seaway Compliant with Security Program Ahead of Deadline
December 5, 2007
Cornwall, Ontario, December 5, 2007 – Building upon its reputation as a safe and reliable transportation artery, The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) announced today that it has achieved compliance with Transport Canada’s Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program (MTSCP) ahead of the December 15th deadline.
In November 2006, Transport Canada announced amendments to the Marine Transportation Security Regulations to strengthen Canadian marine security by requiring background checks for workers at marine facilities who perform specific security duties or have access to designated restricted areas. The MTSCP has the goal of reducing the risk of security threats by preventing unlawful interference with the marine transportation system.
At the very outset of the new program, the SLSMC identified employees who regularly work within or require access to the Seaway’s Traffic Control / Operations Centres. Through the diligent efforts of its staff, compliance with the program was achieved in November 2007.
“We are pleased to have completed this exercise ahead of the deadline” notes SLSMC President and CEO Richard Corfe. “This effort serves as yet one more example of our commitment to proactively build upon the Seaway’s strong record for safety and reliability, and our employees stand wholeheartedly behind this commitment.”
The St. Lawrence Seaway serves as a critical transportation artery, enabling vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean inland to the Great Lakes. Over 150 million people reside within an eight hour drive of a port within the Great Lakes Seaway System. Since its inception in 1959, over 2.3 billion tonnes valued in excess of $350 billion has been transported via the Seaway. Currently engaged in an effort to broaden its cargo base, the St. Lawrence Seaway launched in concert with other marine stakeholders the Hwy H2O marketing program, which serves to illustrate the marine mode’s ability to complement existing road and rail intermodal networks. For more information, please refer to the www.hwyh2o.com web site.