About the Ship fund
We compensate anyone affected by oil spills from ships or boats.
Did you know that oil pollution incidents occur regularly? Even the smallest spill can pose risks to communities, the environment, and the economy.
The Ship Fund protects anyone affected, as well as taxpayers, from bearing the cost of damages, losses, and response efforts. We also strive to make the polluter pay.
Our service commitment
We are committed to supporting access to justice. Our goal is to provide fair and timely compensation. Claimants who come to us don’t need to hire a lawyer or go to court.
Major oil pollution incidents are extremely rare in Canadian waters. However, if one happens, we are ready to assess and pay many claims efficiently.
What we do
Our administration
The Ship Fund is managed by Ship and Rail Compensation Canada, which is independent of the Government of Canada.
The Ship Fund is also known by its legal name, Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund.
Our governance
Our role is set out in the Marine Liability Act. The Ship Fund is a specified purpose account in the accounts of Canada.
Our mandate is to focus on the following:
- assessing and paying claims
- pursuing financial recovery from the owners of polluting ships and boats
- being prepared for major incidents that might result in large numbers of claims
- providing emergency funding to the Canadian Coast Guard in the case of a major oil spill
- paying contributions to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds
- contributing to Administrative Monetary Penalties, including assisting with the enforcement of oil suppliers reporting obligations
- ensuring records and systems are properly maintained
- submitting an annual report to the Minister of Transport to put before Parliament.
To achieve our objectives, we collaborate with a wide range of partners from the private sector, public institutions, Indigenous communities, and non-governmental organizations in Canada and internationally.
Learn more about us
Recovery from the polluter
Once we pay a claimant, we take all reasonable steps to recover the costs from the shipowner and any other person responsible.
