About C.M.L.A

The Canadian Maritime Law Association (CMLA) founded in 1951 is comprised both of individual members from all parts of Canada, and constituent members including:

• Association of Average Adjusters of Canada;
• Association of Maritime Arbitrators of Canada;
• British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.;
• Canadian Bankers Association;
• Canadian Bar Association;
• Canadian Board of Marine Underwriters;
• Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association Inc.;
• Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering;
• Canadian Merchant Service Guild;
• Canadian Petroleum Products Institute;
• Canadian Shipowners Association;
• Canadian Ship Supply & Services Association;
• Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia;
• Company of Master Mariners of Canada;
• Marine Insurance Association of British Columbia;
• Maritime Employers Association;
• Shipping Federation of Canada;
• TSI Terminal Systems Inc.
• Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association

Many constituent members are represented on the Executive Committee.

The CMLA is Canada's representative to the Comité Maritime International (CMI) an organization founded in 1897 to promote uniformity and reform in international maritime law and commerce. The CMI at the international level has been responsible for international conventions such as: the Hague Rules 1924; Hague-Visby Rules 1968; Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976; Salvage Convention 1989; the York Antwerp Rules; and other international agreements which regulate international maritime transportation. As a result, the CMLA as Canada's national and international maritime law organization participates fully in the revision and reform of international maritime law.

Transportation by sea is a business which involves potential risk of loss and damage to ship, cargo, third party property, the environment, and seafarers. For a shipowner, charterer, tug, barge, or ferry operator, cargo owner, banker, marine insurer, salvor, offshore contractor or freight forwarder to conduct maritime business there must be recognized rules to govern maritime commerce and protect the interests of all parties.

The mandate of the CMLA is to advance the development of effective, modern commercial maritime law within Canada and the international shipping community.

Within Canada, the CMLA has worked actively with Government and industry to advance new legal developments in many fields including:

• Carriage of goods by sea;
• Customs regulations;
• Federal marine insurance legislation;
• International shipping corporations;
• Liability of freight forwarders;
• Limitation of liability for ship operators;
• Marine pollution from oil and hazardous substances;
• Maritime salvage;
• Tanker safety regulations;
• Transportation Safety Board regulations.

The principal role of the CMLA is to represent all Canadian commercial maritime interests for the uniform development of Canadian and international maritime laws affecting marine transportation and related aspects.