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Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (S.C. 2001, c. 26)

Assented to 2001-11-01

Marginal note:Contravention of Act or regulations
  •  (1) Every person who, or vessel that, contravenes any of the following commits an offence:

    • (a) a direction given under subsection 212(2) (to store something);

    • (b) section 213 (departing without clearance); and

    • (c) a provision of the regulations made under this Part.

  • Marginal note:Punishment

    (2) Every person who, or vessel that, commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both.

PART 12MISCELLANEOUS

Goods

Definition of “carrier”

 In sections 248 and 250, “carrier” means a person with whom a shipper of goods enters into a contract of carriage of the goods by water.

Marginal note:Carrier’s lien
  •  (1) A carrier has, on goods carried under a contract of carriage, a lien for any amount that is due to the carrier under the contract for freight or costs of storing, disposing of or preserving the goods.

  • Marginal note:Notice of lien to owner of goods

    (2) Before exercising a lien, a carrier must give notice of it to the owner of the goods, specifying the amount claimed and the particulars of the claim.

  • Marginal note:Notice of lien to third parties

    (3) If the carrier places the goods in the custody of a third party and gives the third party notice of the lien and the third party does not retain them until notified by the carrier that the lien is discharged or does not return them to the carrier, the third party is liable to the carrier. The third party may charge the carrier for storing the goods or for any reasonable action taken to preserve them or to protect property or human life from damage they may cause.

  • Marginal note:Third party’s protection

    (4) A third party who retains goods until notified by the carrier that the lien is discharged or who returns them to the carrier is not liable to the owner of the goods, regardless of whether the lien claimed by the carrier is valid.

Marginal note:Sale or other disposition of goods
  •  (1) If an owner of goods does not take delivery of the goods after notice of delivery has been given or fails to discharge a lien after it is exercised, the carrier may

    • (a) sell them by public auction at any time that is 90 days after the notice of delivery is given and 10 days after giving notice of the time and place of the auction in a newspaper that is circulated in the vicinity of the auction; or

    • (b) if the goods are perishable or pose a threat to public health or safety, sell or otherwise dispose of them in the manner and for the price that is reasonable in the circumstances after giving notice of the sale or other disposition to the owner of the goods.

  • Marginal note:Application of proceeds of disposition

    (2) The proceeds of the disposition must be credited toward payment of the amounts due or payable under the contract of carriage or any other amounts reasonably incurred for storing, disposing of or preserving the goods. Any surplus must be paid to the owner of the goods.

Marginal note:Responsibility for goods

 Subject to the Carriage of Goods by Water Act, carriers must use due care and diligence in the safe-keeping and punctual conveyance of goods delivered to them for carriage by water.

Stevedoring

Marginal note:Actions in rem
  •  (1) A person who has contracted with the authorized representative or a bare-boat charterer of a vessel in Canada to provide stevedoring may maintain an action in rem in the Federal Court, or any court of competent jurisdiction whose rules provide for in rem procedure in respect of vessels, for a claim in respect of the stevedoring.

  • Marginal note:Limitation

    (2) The right of action in rem referred to in subsection (1) may be exercised only while the vessel is chartered to the bare-boat charterer and only if the bare-boat charterer is joined as a defendant.

  • Marginal note:Does not affect other rights

    (3) For greater certainty, nothing in this section limits the right of a person to maintain an action in rem for stevedoring under Canadian maritime law, within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Federal Court Act.

  • Definition of “stevedoring”

    (4) In this section, “stevedoring” includes trimming, lighterage and the supply of any goods or services in relation to stevedoring.

Proof of Offences by Vessels

Marginal note:Proof of offence
  •  (1) In a prosecution of a vessel for an offence under this Act, it is sufficient proof that the vessel has committed the offence to establish that the act or omission that constitutes the offence was committed by the master or any person on board, other than a person carrying out an inspection under this Act or a pollution prevention officer, whether or not the person on board has been identified.

  • Marginal note:Directions

    (2) For the purpose of prosecuting a vessel for contravening a direction given under this Act, a direction given to the master, a crew member or any person on board who is, or appears to be, in charge of the vessel, is deemed to have been given to the vessel.

Offences

Marginal note:Damage to environment and risk of death or harm to persons
  •  (1) Every person is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, or to both, who, in committing an offence under this Act,

    • (a) intentionally or recklessly causes a disaster that results in the loss of life or serious damage to the environment; or

    • (b) shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons and thereby causes a risk of death or bodily harm to another person.

  • Marginal note:Criminal negligence

    (2) Every person who, in committing an offence under this Act, shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons and thereby causes death or bodily harm to another person is subject to prosecution and punishment under section 220 or 221 of the Criminal Code.

Due Diligence

Marginal note:Persons
  •  (1) No person may be found guilty of an offence under this Act if the person establishes that they exercised due diligence to prevent its commission.

  • Marginal note:Vessels

    (2) No vessel may be found guilty of an offence under this Act if the person who committed the act or omission that constitutes the offence establishes that they exercised due diligence to prevent its commission.

 

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