State of knowledge on fate and behaviour of ship-source petroleum product spills: Volume 1, Introduction

Rising Canadian oil production and increased tanker traffic elevates the risk of accidental oil spills in Canadian waters. In response, the Government of Canada announced the World Class Tanker Safety System and created the independent Tanker Safety Expert Panel to review Canada’s ship-source oil spill preparedness and response. Using the panel’s recommendations, the Government of Canada is establishing response plans for four pilot areas which have the highest tanker traffic in Canada: Saint John, NB, Port Hawkesbury and Canso Strait, NS, St. Lawrence Seaway, Qc, and the southern portion of British Columbia. This is the first volume of a five volume report which contains introductory information on oil products and spills, relevant to any location, and meant to accompany subsequent volumes. Volumes 2-5 cover each of the four selected pilot ports identified above.