The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has lashed out at Canada's plans to impose a moratorium on crude shipments in northwest Canada.

Secretary General Peter Hinchliffe used a letter to Transport Minister Marc Garneau to emphasise Canada's treaty obligations to ensure freedom of navigation in its territorial waters.

"We believe that a moratorium applicable to Canadian waters would be draconian step that could lead to serious concerns being raised by Canada's international trading partners," wrote Hinchliffe, whose organisation includes the Canadian Shipowners’ Association and the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia as members.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

"Such a measure would set an unwelcome precedent that might be emulated elsewhere, including by individual US States, with the potential to impact greatly on the...