In addition to the federal authorizations, we participated in Transport Canada’s voluntary Technical Review Process of Marine Terminal Systems and Transshipment Sites (TERMPOL) process to address the increase in marine traffic to offload product from the Project.
The TERMPOL Review is a voluntary process focused on vessel safety and operation in Canadian waters along the shipping routes. The review examined vessel characteristics, the routes, navigability, other waterway users and the marine terminal operations associated with vessel operations. It is a technical review designed to assess the risks to navigation as well as public and environmental safety associated with shipping and navigation. Trans Mountain conducted a prescribed set of studies and submitted these to the TERMPOL Review Committee (TRC), which is chaired by Transport Canada and includes representatives of other federal agencies including the Canadian Coast Guard, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (including Canadian Hydrographic Services), Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pacific Pilotage Authority and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
TERMPOL Review Committee findings
After reviewing Trans Mountain’s studies and taking into account our commitments, the TRC did not identify any regulatory concerns related to the proposed tankers, tanker operations, proposed route, navigability, marine terminal operations associated with tankers supporting the Project, or affecting other waterway users.
The TRC in its reports noted it did not consider the overall increase in marine traffic levels to be an issue; however, it does support additional measures to promote shared safe use of the Project’s preferred shipping route.
In response to the submission, the TRC also identified several findings and recommendations and has proposed actions for Trans Mountain that would provide a high level of safety for tanker operations. Key measures to reduce marine risk and enhance awareness include endorsing the following:
- Extended use of tethered and untethered tug escort
- Extension of the pilot disembarkation zone
- Safety calls by laden tankers when in transit
- Guidance on communication between masters and watch-keeping personnel to support strong communication between tankers and their escort tugs
- Clear guidance to the marine industry on enhancements to the marine safety regime that will impact their operations
- Engagement and awareness strategy to promote safe navigation and interaction between tankers and recreational boaters, fishing vessel operators and operators of small vessels
- Enhancements to the existing oil spill response regime
The TRC report submitted to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) on December 11, 2014 can be found on the CER website. Trans Mountain’s progress on each of the recommendations is provided in a summary format below. Updates on Trans Mountain’s progress in meeting all recommendations will be updated to the TRC regulators on a regular basis as per Trans Mountain’s marine shipping-related commitments.