Canada: Response Organisation Fees
Steamship Mutual
Published: August 09, 2010
February 2005
Details of the 2004/5 rates charged by the four response organisations are set out below:
WCMRC1
ECRC2
ALERT3
PTMS4
Great Lakes
Quebec / Maritimes
Newfoundland
Registration
(annual)
2004
$450.007
$450.00 (Canadian ships operating locally)
$750.00 (other ships and multi-GAR5)
$450.00 or $750.00
(multi-GAR)
$450.00 or $750.00
(multi-GAR)
2005
No change proposed for 2005
No change proposed for 2005
No change proposed for 2005
No change proposed for 2005
BOCF6
(general)
per M/T
2004
46.0¢
45.0¢
21.6¢
5.7¢
14¢
22.5¢
2005
70.2¢
71.0¢
31.0¢
6.5¢
No change proposed for 2005
No change proposed for 2005
BOCF
(asphalt)
per M/T
2004
23.0¢
22.5¢
10.8¢
2.85¢
7¢
11.25¢
2005
35.1¢
35.5¢
15.5¢
3.25¢
No change proposed for 2005
No change proposed for 2005
The 2005 bulk oil cargo fees for ECRC and WCMRC have been increased substantially over the fees applicable at the end of 2004. However, at the beginning of each year, these response organizations increase bulk oil cargo fees over the previous year and the fees are then lowered for the second half of the year.
This two-tier approach has been explained by ECRC and WCMRC to be a method of making sure costs are covered. The higher fees applicable at the beginning of the year are adjusted once final auditing for the previous year confirms whether income exceeded the initial estimates. It is understood that although the higher rates are invoiced, oil handling facilities do not actually pay the full amount charged by ECRC and WCMRC but continue to pay the former rate until they receive confirmation whether the higher rates are in fact necessary. That would be the case should auditing reveal income shortage over estimates for the previous year. Thus, although the increases appear to be substantial, the former rates will continue to be paid and the higher rates will probably be revised downward during 2005.
With thanks to Langlois Gaudreau O'Connor, Quebec City, for supplying this information.
Click here to view Steamship website article detailing the areas of responsibility of each of the organisations and information on the pollution regulation regime in Canada.
1.Western Canada Marine Response Corporation
2.Eastern Canada Response Corporation
3.Atlantic Emergency Response Team Inc.
4.Point Tupper Marine Services Ltd
5.Geographical Area of Response
6.Bulk Oil Cargo Fee
7.WCMRC announced its intention to increase its registration fee to $610 in 2002 but has not taken steps to have the increase implemented
