The changes we are announcing today will help make our oceans and lakes cleaner by reducing ship emissions. Since vessels from Canada and the United States routinely travel in both countries’ waters, aligning our regulations is the logical thing to do.

—Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport

It is expected that these new standards will result in an annual reduction of ship-sourced greenhouse gases (GHGs) of 9% or 11 Mt annually by 2025.

The amendments bring new requirements into force for vessels under Annex VI of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) that Canada has negotiated with international partners. They set new Canadian standards for environmental protection in seven areas:

1. Canada is further aligning its emission standards with the United States with the adoption of the North American Emission Control Area (ECA). Air emissions standards under the ECA are stricter than global requirements.

2. New standards will reduce allowable emissions of key air pollutants from ships. By 2020, emissions of sulphur oxide will be reduced by 96% and nitrogen oxides by 80%.

3. New energy efficiency requirements will reduce GHGs emissions from international shipping. By 2025, new vessels must be 30% more energy efficient and all vessels must have energy efficiency plans.

4. A new air emissions regime for Canadian vessels operating in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence waters will support industry efforts to modernize their fleet while phasing in the strictest sulphur oxide standards by 2020.

5. New standards will require marine diesel engines installed after 1 January 2016 to be certified to recognized US or international environmental standards.

6. A new standard will help manage greywater—the water that drains from a ship’s sinks, showers and laundries. Under the amendments, greywater discharged in Canadian waters (other than Arctic waters, which are subject to other standards) must not result in the deposit of solids or cause any sheen on the water.

7. Updated requirements for the transfer of oil between tankers will align Canadian requirements with IMO pollution prevention standards.