Maritime operations involve many stakeholders and raise numerous issues that are priorities for SLS members, including safety and human resources. Our association plays an important role by ensuring that decisions affecting these shipping-related aspects are based on factual data and meet industry needs. In this way, SLS participates actively in defining best practices and procedures and seeking innovative solutions for improving shipping’s effectiveness and maritime safety.
Pilotage
To ensure safe navigation on the St. Lawrence River, all ships must have a certified pilot on board between Les Escoumins and Montréal and on the Saguenay River.
Since pilotage is a key element in marine safety on the St. Lawrence, SLS ensures that services offered meet our members’ needs, i.e. that they are available, effective and competitive. SLS is also interested in means used the world over to fuel deliberations about adopting best practices and wisely using technologies in assisted navigation.
Human resources
Like other growing sectors, shipping has faced significant human resources shortages for years now.
Human resources training and recruiting are subjects of crucial importance for SLS and our members. SLS works with other industry partners, such as the Human Resources Sectorial Committee of the Maritime Industry (CSMOIM) and the Institut maritime du Québec (IMQ), to make the government aware of this problem and get its support in seeking concrete solutions, such as the implementation of human resources training incentive measures.
These measures involve support for training programs, promoting maritime occupations, recognizing foreign certification and protecting the domestic industry in free trade agreements.
Safety
Shipping is a safe mode of transport. The number of maritime accidents has been declining for many years, thanks to a strict regulatory framework governing maritime activity nationally and internationally.
Safety affects all aspects of ships’ operations, from design to dismantling, via navigation, equipment operation, refuelling, loading, waste, etc. All of these activities are strictly regulated to protect seafarers’ lives and health, the goods carried and the marine environment.
In the same way as for other issues, SLS is the domestic ship owners’ and operators’ voice vis-à-vis regulatory bodies, when reviewing safety measures or defining new ones, by sharing technical information and operational expertise.
