Consent Order sought from Competition Tribunal in B. C. ship berthing and barging case

OTTAWA, January 13, 1997 - Francine Matte Q.C., Acting Director of Investigation and Research under the Competition Act, filed an application today for a Consent Order with the Competition Tribunal with respect to ship berthing and wood chip and covered barging in British Columbia.

This case concerns the provision of ship berthing services at Burrard Inlet and Roberts Bank, and the provision of wood chip and covered barging services in B.C. coastal waters. Covered barging involves the marine movement of pulp and paper, and newsprint.

An application had been filed with the Tribunal on March 1, 1996 opposing the October 13, 1994 merger whereby Mr. Dennis Washington, the owner of C.H. Cates & Sons Ltd., indirectly acquired a significant interest in Seaspan International Ltd. and Mr. Washington's further acquisition of control of Seaspan in June 1996. The application also opposed the June 30, 1995 acquisition by Mr. Washington of Norsk Pacific Steamship Company, Limited.

The 1996 application alleged that the mergers prevented or lessened, or were likely to prevent or lessen, competition substantially in the provision of tug boat services used to berth ships in the Port of Vancouver, and in the provision of wood chip and covered barging services in and around B.C.'s coastal waters.

The terms of the proposed Consent Order, which were agreed to by Mr. Washington and the Acting Director and which are subject to approval by the Tribunal, involve the divestiture of certain ship berthing and barging assets.

This application and draft Consent Order are on the public record and are available from the Competition Tribunal.