A statement by Prince Rupert Port Authority in response to the recently-released report by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), Study of U.S. Inland Containerized Cargo Moving Through Canadian and Mexican Seaports.
“The study is correct in concluding that carriers shipping cargo through Canadian and Mexican ports violate no U.S. law, treaty, agreement, or FMC regulation,” said Don Krusel, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “As the Canadian government acknowledged in its official submission, Canada and the U.S. enjoy the most successful bilateral trading relationship in the world. Canadian Port Authorities are mandated to operate autonomously, in an environment free of government subsidies.
We believe that this competitive landscape prospers both our nations.” “Moreover, we strongly reject the study’s subtle suggestions that security at Prince Rupert’s gateway is anything less than world-class.” The study noted that Prince Rupert is not a member of the Container Security Initiative (CSI), raising questions regarding the security of Prince Rupert’s container port. The suggestion that Canadian security measures are inferior to those of the U.S. is misinformed. Canada and the U.S. collaborate closely on security. In fact, Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection screening standards are equivalent. The Port of Prince Rupert has successfully undergone a comprehensive security assessment using a Transport Canada methodology that is based on international standards. Prince Rupert has approved security plans and all facilities are in full compliance. Prince Rupert Port Authority and each regulated marine facility operator have statements of compliance and are subject to regulatory inspections every two years, as well as risk-based inspections at any time.
The Canadian Border Services Agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection regularly issue reciprocal requests for examination. The Port of Prince Rupert is confident that users of its facilities and decision-makers on both sides of the border recognize and appreciate its high security standards and dedication to maintaining a safe, secure and reliable port for the transport of goods in and out of Canada’s West Coast.