Ottawa has advised that Canada’s Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, joined by BC’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Rob Fleming, will be at Victoria’s Ogden Point deep-water terminal at 10:30 am Pacific Time today, making an announcement related to Canada’s cruise ship industry.
This comes two weeks after, as Open Jaw reported, the chair of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities’ Cruise Committee said “the time is right” for Transport Canada to act on the Committee’s request to lift Canada’s cruise ban that currently doesn’t expire until the end of FEB 2022.
Andrew Dixon told Seatrade last month that the ACPA Cruise Committee, with the goal of safely resuming cruising in Canada, has been “very, very active” in developing new, COVID safety protocols for ports and tour operators. ACPA provided the government with a report in April.
“They are listening to our message now,” he said, adding, “I expect a very definitive and positive announcement imminently, before the end of July.”
The Cruise Committee has made two requests of Ottawa, and today’s announcement may answer one or both of these requests:
1. Clear Statement that Canada will be Open for Cruising in 2022
Canada’s cruise industry first, according to Dixon wants to hear Ottawa say, “Let's reopen cruise for 2022. Let's make a statement and let's tell the industry we're ready. Let's let people know they can plan on 2022.”
While cruising doesn’t start until warmer months, planning begins long before.
“We know cruising is going to restart. We need to make sure the Canadian government understands how critically important it is to give notice for that well in advance, not just for operational reasons and ship deployment but business development ... People book cruises a year ahead, a year and a half ahead, and more,” Dixon pointed out.
Some American legislators are attempting to revise the Passenger Vessel Services Act, that - while ‘temporarily’ lifted - requires ships to call in Canadian ports rather than all - U.S. ports of call.
As Open Jaw reports, this has many Canadian cruise stakeholders worried Canada could be bypassed altogether - especially if it’s not clear well in advance that Canadian ports will be able to welcome ships.
2. Immediate Raising of Cap on Pax to 500; Allowing some Cruising in 2021
In addition to an announcement confirming the lifting of the cruise ban next year, the Committee has also asked the federal government to raise the limit on the size of ships currently allowed under the ban.
Right now, only vessels carrying less than 100 total aboard - both pax and crew - are exempted from the cruise ban.
The committee wants to see that lifted to 500 as of 31OCT this year - which would allow small ships to operate at the end of the season this year, which Dixon points out “ would give everyone the chance to test protocols” and ensure a smooth transition back to full throttle cruising in Canadian waters next year.
