Arctic Environment

Shipping and the Environment

National Aerial Surveillance Program

Oil Transfers

Reporting Oil Spills

Shipping generates different impacts on the environment, both through normal operations and through incorrect or abnormal operations. The different impacts are addressed in Canadian regulations, and some international standards and guidelines.

It is the responsibility of ship operators and owners to comply with these regulations, and follow recognized standards and best practice with experienced crewmembers. Pollution prevention officers may inspect any ship within the Shipping Safety Control Zones for compliance. The National Aerial Surveillance Program has aircraft patrols to prevent ships from making illegal discharges, and for finding oil spills. It is the responsibility of ship operators to comply with all applicable regulations when doing oil transfers, and to report any oil or petroleum-lubricating product spills immediately to NORDREG and the 24-hour Spill Report Centre.