Marine Moves Ontario Foward
The Ontario Marine Council is an industry association representing the major stakeholders in Ontario’s marine sectors. Our membership includes Port Operators, Shipyards, Ship Owners, Shippers, and the Seaway.
OUR MISSION
OUR PRIORITIES
Working with stakeholders to implement the Ontario Marine Transportation Strategy and bring visibility and awareness to areas of the marine sector that have yet to realize their full potential and activate policies and resources to promote their growth and sustainability.
Priorities
ONTARIO MARINE TRANSPORATION STRATEGY (OMTS)
- Funding Allocations for OMTS
- Provincial Government Collaboration
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
- GHG Reduction via Marine Transport
- Digital supply chain integration
- Green Shipping Corridor Network (GSCN)
ECONOMIC DEVELOMENT & GROWTH
- Marine Sector Awareness
- Short Sea Shipping & Port Utilization
MARINE INFRASTRUCTURE
- Infrastructure Investment
- Integrated Transportation Planning
MARINE-BASED SKILLED WORKFORCE & TRAINING
- Labour Supply for Marine Sector
- Seafarer Training Support
REGULATORY HARMONIZATION, DATA & TECHNOLOGY
- Intelligent Corridor Development
- Technological Innovation & Regulatory Harmonization
BACKGROUND
Ontario is home to some of the largest commercial ports on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway, serving as a critical gateway to North America’s industrial heartland, a strategic destination for global trade, and a vital link in North American and international supply chains.
Despite the importance and success of the marine industry in Ontario, the sector has yet to realize the full potential of our marine assets, lands and waterways. Ontario still lags behind global competitors in shipbuilding, short-sea shipping, marine tourism, multi-modal connectivity, and other important marine sectors.
Other jurisdictions successfully foster economic growth by promoting and helping the development and maintenance of their marine industry, helping connect them with export opportunities and North America’s largest industrial hubs.
- Quebec has implemented the Quebec Maritime Strategy
- The Michigan House has approved the Ports Facilities Improvement Grant and the Marine and Ports Facilities Improvement Office
- Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota all have a robust industrial port strategy
VIDEO
Discover How Marine Moves Ontario Forward
KEY FACTS
Why the marine sector is so important to Ontario
01 Economic Contribution
- Ontario’s marine sector is underutilized. Ontario ports, shipyards, shipowners, shippers, and waterways have additional capacity to contribute to the growth of Ontario’s economy. The sector is a gateway to both domestic and international supply chains.
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02 Environmental Solution
- The marine sector is a driving force behind reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing carbon emissions by 85% compared to long haul trucks (per ton/km). One vessel transporting 30,000 tons of cargo represents 964 trucks off Ontario highways.
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03 Export Materials
- Each year, the marine sector in Ontario handles approximately 61.3 million metric tons of cargo. This cargo includes bulk commodities serving major Ontario industries like iron ore and coal for steel making, aggregates and cement for construction and roads, grain for Ontario agribusinesses and export markets, de-icing salt for winter road safety, petroleum products for transportation and industrial uses, plus a variety of other commodities and finished products.
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04 Job Opportunities
- Ontario’s marine sector supports approximately 67,000 jobs, both on ship and on shore. The sector will require 8,300 new workers in the next 5 years.
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05 Industry Contribution
- The marine sector contributes significantly to taxes – helping to support the valuable programs the government of Ontario offers, through an industry contribution of approximately $1.9 billion in municipal, federal, and provincial tax revenues.
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06 Economic Activity
- The marine sector in Ontario contributes $10 billion in economic activity and $3.9 billion in annual income. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Waterway connect markets within and between Ontario and the rest of North America and the world.
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JOIN OUR CAUSE
Despite being a critical link in Ontario’s transportation network, the marine sector remains undervalued for its economic and environmental potential. It deserves the same level of government support afforded to other modes of transportation.
As part of an integrated multimodal system, marine transportation can alleviate pressure on existing infrastructure, delivering broad economic gains and meaningful environmental benefits.
Support the Ontario marine sectors to promote economic growth and environmental stability.
Board Members
Algoma Central Corporation
Chairperson
Ted Kirkpatrick
Ontario Shipyards
Vice-Chair
Rym Cheriet
The CSL Group Inc.
QSL
Larissa Fenn
HOPA Ports (Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority)
McKeil Marine Limited
Seaway Management Corporation
Picton Terminal
Port of Thunder Bay
Frank Hurkmans
Goderich Port Management Corporation
Secretary Treasury
Chamber of Marine Commerce
Darryl Markle
Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd
Frank Montecalvo
LOGISTEC Corporation
Captain Satinder Singh
Ports Toronto
Steve Salmons
Ports Windsor
