The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) weighed in against a measure now before Canada's parliament that would formalise a ban on shipping crude oil in and out of a portion of the country's west coast.
The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which is sponsored by the country's transport minister Marc Garneau, would ban shipping crude oil between ports located along a stretch of British Columbia spanning the northern border of Alaska to the northern point of Vancouver Island.
The Act would formalise an voluntary measure in place since 1985. Tankers carrying crude oil from Alaska to the US west coast are not permitted to voyage within 100 kilometres (62 miles) of the northern British Columbia coast.
Passing a formal ban would be the final nail in the coffin for proposed crude oil export pipeline that would reach the northern British Columbia coast.
The ICS says a formal ban "will interfere with international maritime trade."
“Such a draconian step could lead to serious concerns being raised by Canada’s international trading partners,” said Simon Bennett, who heads policy for ICS.
ICS says that a formal ban could create an "unwelcome precedent" that could be emulated by US states, which have also sought to block energy export projects.
ICS cited the strong safety record of the oil shipping industry over the last three decades with fewer than two significant oil spills occurring on average, compared to 25 such incidents per year thirty years ago.
“We would instead encourage Canada to continue its strong history of environmental protection and support for responsible global trade through the implementation of practical measures consistent with international best practice," Bennett said.
