Rig Hercules Contractor Ltd - coasting trade licence

Application by Rig Hercules Contractor Ltd, pursuant to the Coasting Trade Act, SC 1992, c 31 (Act), for a licence

Rig Hercules Contractor Ltd applied, through its representative, to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (Minister), for a licence to use the Hercules, a mobile offshore drilling unit registered in Cyprus, to undertake the drilling of explorations wells located in the Flemish Pass approximately 500 km east of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The activity will start on June 15, 2024, and will end on January 15, 2025.

To support the licensing process, the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) must determine, under section 8 of the Act, whether a suitable Canadian ship is available to provide the service.

Agency staff gave notice of the application to the Canadian marine industry, and no Canadian ships were offered. Therefore, the Agency determines that there is no suitable Canadian ship available to perform the activity.

The Minister considers the Agency's Determination in deciding whether to issue the licence. This Determination is not an authority to operate.