SITUATION REGARDING RUSSIAN VESSELS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC
LOCATION: EAST AND WEST COAST OF CANADA
Issue/Source: Minister’s TRAN appearance on the implications of the Russo-Ukrainian war on Canada’s transportation sector
Date: 10 MARCH 2022
Suggested Responses - There is currently no threat to canadian waters or ports from russian ships
- Recent amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations prohibit any ship that is registered in Russia (or used, leased or chartered, in whole or in part, by or on behalf of Russia) from docking in Canada or passing through Canadian waters.
- In addition, the Marine Transportation Security Act and associated regulations and measures provide the tools to ensure the security of Canada’s marine transportation system.
- Transport Canada is monitoring shipping along Canada’s coasts, in collaboration with other federal partners.
IF PRESSED
- Transport Canada works with federal partner departments and agencies through the Marine Security Operations Centre (MSOC) to maintain awareness of the maritime domain by sharing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information with all MSOC partners, enabling an organized response to marine threats.
- Transport Canada continues to track all Vessels of Interest (VOI) approaching or operating within Canadian waters.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- TC has developed a Marine Security Notification to inform marine security stakeholders of these upcoming measures.
- The Marine Security Operations Centres (MSOCs) provides Canada’s maritime domain awareness (MDA), intelligence, and security capability.
- Representatives from federal government departments and agencies with maritime expertise or security-related responsibilities are co-located in the centres to facilitate effective and rapid information access, collection, analysis, and information-sharing.
- The six MSOC partners are the Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Conservation and Protection), Department of National Defence (Canadian Armed Forces), Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Transport Canada.