A Hapag-Lloyd containership became the latest to catch a fine for breaking speed limits aimed at reducing whale strikes, Transport Canada said.
The fine comes as the temporary speed restrictions in Canadian waterways are now ended.
The 2,808-teu Mississauga Express (built 1998) was hit with a penalty of CAD 6,000 ($4,830) for alleged non-compliance with the temporary speed restriction.
Vessels of 20 metres or more length overall were restricted to a maximum speed of 10 knots in the western Gulf of the St Lawrence.
The speed restriction was due to the increased presence of whales in the area between the Quebec north shore and just north of Prince Edward Island.
Hapag-Lloyd has 30 days to pay the penalty or to ask the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada to review the facts of the violation or the amount of the penalty.
The temporary speed restrictions, which were in place since 11 August, ended last Friday as no whales have been sighted in the region in recent weeks.
"We thank the many vessel operators and captains who complied with this mandatory slow down," Transport Canada said in a statement.
The Hapag-Lloyd vessel was the 14th to be hit with a fine.
