What steps will Woodfibre LNG take to ensure foreign animal and plant species aren’t introduced to Howe Sound when ballast water is replaced while docked at Woodfibre?

Hi Michael, and thank you for your question.

There are very strict rules in Canada governing ballast water that are in place specifically to ensure foreign plant and animal species are not introduced into areas like Howe Sound.

The first are the Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations that are contained within the Canada Shipping Act. Those regulations say that if a vessel takes ballast onboard while outside Canadian waters, that ballast cannot be discharged anywhere within 200 nautical miles of shore. Those regulations also stipulate that, in addition to the 200-mile radius, the vessel must be in waters that are at least 2,000 metres deep before it can discharge such ballast.

In addition to this, All LNG carriers will comply with international regulations (International Maritime Organization, MARPOL Annex IV and Annex V), and will be required to carry an International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate and Garbage Management Plan that prohibit the discharge of any wastewater or garbage within ports or offshore terminals.

If you want to read more on the rules that apply, you can visit the federal government’s Guide to Canada’s Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations.