The Chamber of Marine Commerce will assume the assets, liabilities and staff of the Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA) following a new merger agreement that aims to create a united voice for commercial shipping in Canada and the United States.
“We’re uniting two organizations that have successfully promoted the interests of commercial marine shipping for many decades,” said Wayne Smith, Chairman of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “Both associations recognize that we have many shared goals and issues and that combining our resources will make us a much stronger advocate for the future growth of our industry.”
“One of our common objectives is to foster a harmonized and efficient regulatory climate throughout the bi-national Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region and along the eastern seaboard and northern coasts,” said Allister Paterson, Chairman of the CSA. “Our combined teams will now be working in tandem to deliver that message to the public, media and all levels of government in Canada and the U.S.”
The memberships of both industry associations formally approved the merger on September 28, 2016. Based in Ottawa, Canada, the merged entity will continue to be called the Chamber of Marine Commerce.
Brian Benko, a member of the Chamber of Marine Commerce’s Board of Directors and VP Procurement at ArcelorMittal Dofasco, said, “The Chamber represents a uniquely broad spectrum of marine shipping stakeholders, including industrial customers like ArcelorMittal Dofasco. The merger allows for the association to increase its effectiveness on behalf of all members to ensure the Great Lakes-Seaway system remains a cost efficient, competitive way to transport goods within North America and to overseas destinations.”