Council of Marine Carriers

What Council of Marine Carriers does

The Council of Marine Carriers (CMC) is a private, membership-based trade association incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act on December 23, 1974, succeeding the British Columbia Towboat Owners' Association (organized in 1923). Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, CMC represents the domestic marine transportation sector in BC, primarily tug and barge companies, with secondary representation for ferry operators, ship docking and escort operators, project-based marine constructors, and major marine construction firms. Its mandate is to formulate and advocate for policies, legislation, and regulations beneficial to the marine industry, and to represent its membership before government agencies including Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, WorkSafeBC, and the Transportation Safety Board.

CMC operates a tiered membership model with four tiers: Tier I (vessel owners/operators with seagoing payroll) pay 0.515% of Gross Seagoing Payroll; Tier II (ship docking and escort operations) pay $5,000 annually; Tier III (marine asset owners without seagoing payroll) pay $3,000 annually; and Tier IV (associate members) pay $500 annually. Beyond dues, CMC generates revenue through its biennial BC Towboat Conference & Tradeshow, the proceeds of which fund a scholarship program that has awarded over $200,000 since 2015. The organization also administers Navy Buoy moorage facilities on behalf of T. and B. Moorings, with Tymac Launch Service assuming operational management as of January 1, 2026.

The organization's product portfolio is service-based rather than technology-based: online Navy Buoy reporting and status tools, incident reporting forms, annual user registration, infrastructure project updates (e.g., Pattullo Bridge Replacement, Fraser River Tunnel Project), regulatory compliance resources, training referrals to BCIT, Western Maritime Institute, Camosun College, and North Island College, and engagement with environmental programs (Green Marine, ECHO, Vancouver Maritime Centre for Climate). CMC is governed by a Board of Directors, led by President Paul Hilder (appointed February 2022) and Chairman Ian Shandler (appointed June 2022). The staff is small (1-10 employees), consistent with its role as a focused advocacy and member services body rather than a commercial operator.

Name

Council of Marine Carriers

Legal name

Council of Marine Carriers

Website

https://comc.cc

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Council of Marine Carriers is a Vancouver-based trade association founded in 1974 that represents BC's domestic marine transportation sector — primarily tug and barge companies, ferry operators, and marine constructors — through tiered membership dues, regulatory advocacy, Navy Buoy administration, and a biennial industry conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Industry Association

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Port and Harbor Operations (488310)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Coastal/Sea Towage (Long-Distance Towing of Vessels/Barges) (TLAHAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Service Provider Coordination (Diving, Inspection, Class/Survey Support) (TLAHAJAI)

Keywords

• Marine transportation advocacy
• Trade association services
• Regulatory compliance support
• Industry membership organization
• Marine safety programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: CMC generates revenue through tiered membership fees. Tier I members (vessel owners/operators with seagoing payroll) pay 0.515% of Gross Seagoing Payroll. Tier II members (ship docking/escort operations) pay $5,000/year. Tier III members (marine asset owners without seagoing payroll) pay $3,000/year. Tier IV associate members pay $500/year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Council of Marine Carriers (CMC) is a private trade association that represents the domestic marine transportation sector in British Columbia, primarily tug and barge companies as well as ferry operators and major marine constructors. It sells tiered memberships (Tiers I-IV) and delivers member services including policy advocacy before government and industry agencies, regulatory guidance, Navy Buoy moorage administration on behalf of T. and B. Moorings, workforce development and scholarship programs, safety and training initiatives, and a biennial BC Towboat Conference & Tradeshow.

Product overview

The Council of Marine Carriers (CMC) is a trade association representing the domestic marine transportation sector in British Columbia. Rather than offering a unified technology product, CMC provides a portfolio of member services including: Navy Buoy management services (reporting forms, procedures, status reports, and annual registration), incident reporting systems, infrastructure project updates, career development resources, and biennial industry conferences. CMC also administers scholarship programs for marine education. The organization advocates for policy and regulatory interests on behalf of tug and barge companies, ferry operators, and marine constructors. Membership tiers (Tier I through IV) provide varying levels of access to technical advice, committee participation, and conference benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Navy Buoy Reporting Form Online form that operators use to report each arrival and departure at Navy Buoys; required for all Navy Buoy users as part of CMC's administration on behalf of T. and B. Moorings.
• Navy Buoy Procedure Published guidelines covering safety rules, mooring limitations (67m to 106m), and reporting requirements for short-term barge moorage at the North, East, South, West, and Kits Navy Buoys.
• CMC Incident Reporting Form Standardized form for members to report marine incidents, capturing vessel information, location, damage sustained, and authority contact status.
• Navy Buoy Status Report Real-time status information on availability at the Navy Buoys for marine operators planning short-term barge moorage.
• Annual Navy Buoy User Registration Form Annual registration form for companies using the Navy Buoys, requiring insurance certificates and barge inventory; administered by CMC on behalf of T. and B. Moorings.
• Ongoing Infrastructure Projects Updates Updates on major BC infrastructure projects that affect marine operations, including the Pattullo Bridge Replacement and the Fraser River Tunnel Project.
• BC Towboat Conference & Tradeshow Biennial industry conference and tradeshow for marine transportation professionals featuring presentations on regulatory changes, industry trends, and technology; members receive discounted registration.
• CMC Scholarship and Bursary Program Scholarship program funded by the biennial Towboat Conference awarding more than $200,000 since 2015 to students pursuing post-secondary education in marine-related fields.
• Peter Woodward Memorial Scholarship Named scholarship open to British Columbia residents pursuing post-secondary education in marine-related fields at recognized Canadian institutions, named in honour of former CMC President Peter Woodward (1988-2003).
• Tiered Membership (Tiers I-IV) Annual membership program with four tiers: Tier I vessel owners/operators (0.515% of Gross Seagoing Payroll), Tier II ship docking/escort operators ($5,000/year), Tier III project-based marine asset owners ($3,000/year), and Tier IV associate members ($500/year). Benefits include committee participation, voting rights, technical advice, conference discounts, and scholarship eligibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $200,000 in scholarships awarded to students pursuing marine-related post-secondary education since 2015

Named customers17 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Transport CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency responsible for shipping, navigation, and marine safety. CMC works with Transport Canada to formulate and advocate for policies, legislation and regulations beneficial to the marine industry.
• Canadian Coast GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency responsible for maritime search and rescue, pollution response, and marine navigation services. Key government partner for CMC's advocacy efforts.
• WorkSafeBCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial workers' compensation board for British Columbia. CMC collaborates on workplace safety programs and occupational health and safety regulations for marine industry.
• Transportation Safety BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency investigating transportation accidents. CMC maintains relationship for safety advocacy and incident response coordination.
• Western Marine Community CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of Western Canadian marine organizations. CMC partners for cross-regional advocacy and industry coordination.
• BC Chamber of ShippingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association representing shipping interests in British Columbia. Affiliated partner for joint advocacy efforts.
• Chamber of Maritime CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational maritime commerce advocacy organization. CMC partners for broader maritime industry representation.
• International Ship-Owners Alliance of CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation representing international ship owners operating in Canada. Strategic partner for policy advocacy.
• Shipping Federation of CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization representing shipping industry interests. Affiliated partner for Canadian maritime advocacy.
• American Waterways OperatorsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS trade association representing the domestic maritime industry. CMC maintains international partnerships through this affiliation.
• Canadian Marine Careers Foundation (Imagine Marine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation promoting careers in the Canadian marine industry. CMC participates in programs to address workforce needs and promote marine careers. The industry will need 19,000 mariners in the next 10 years.
• Association of BC Marine IndustriesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial association representing BC marine industries. CMC collaborates on industry programs and workforce development.
• ECHOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental program participant. CMC participates in programs to enforce commitment to the environment.
• Green MarineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental certification program for the maritime industry. CMC participates in sustainability initiatives.
• Vancouver Maritime Centre for ClimateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate-focused initiative for Vancouver maritime sector. CMC participates in programs addressing environmental commitment.
• T. and B. MooringscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwner of Navy Buoys. CMC administers collection of fees and oversees maintenance of Navy Buoys on behalf of T. and B. Moorings. As of January 1, 2026, Tymac Launch Service manages the Navy Buoys.
• Tymac Launch Services Ltd.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerManages Navy Buoy operations as of January 1, 2026. Contact: Drew Hemmingson. Dispatch: 604-685-0756 or [email protected]
• BCIT MarinecoreOthersBritish Columbia Institute of Technology marine studies program. CMC refers candidates for marine training. Located in North Vancouver, BC.
• Western Maritime InstitutecoreOthersMarine training institution with campuses in Ladysmith and Surrey, BC. CMC refers candidates and participates in career pathway programs. Accredited by Transport Canada and DNV-GL.
• Camosun CollegemajorOthersBC marine training institution. CMC refers candidates for training programs.
• North Island CollegemajorOthersBC college offering marine training programs. CMC refers candidates for workforce training.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• American Waterways Operators: US national trade association representing the domestic tugboat, towboat, and barge industry. Direct peer as the US counterpart to CMC's mandate representing BC tug and barge operators; CMC maintains a formal affiliation with AWO.
• Canadian Marine Careers Foundation (Imagine Marine): National foundation promoting careers in the Canadian marine industry and addressing the mariner workforce shortage. Direct peer addressing the same workforce-development issue (19,000 mariners) that CMC's scholarship and training partnerships target.
• BC Chamber of Shipping: British Columbia–focused industry association representing a broad set of shipping interests including shipowners, agents, and operators. Adjacent peer in the same BC maritime advocacy space, with whom CMC maintains a formal affiliated partnership.
• Association of BC Marine Industries: Provincial association representing BC marine industries including operators, builders, and suppliers. Direct peer operating in the same BC marine advocacy space with overlapping membership categories; CMC is a formal collaborator.
• Chamber of Maritime Commerce: Canadian national chamber advocating for maritime commerce and shipping policy. Closely comparable as a domestic maritime advocacy body; CMC lists it as a major strategic partner for joint policy work.
• International Ship-Owners Alliance of Canada: Canadian association representing international ship owners operating in Canadian waters. Direct peer in the marine-carrier advocacy space; CMC lists it as a major strategic partner for policy advocacy.
• Shipping Federation of Canada: National Canadian trade association representing ocean shipping and shipowner interests. Direct peer representing a similar advocacy-and-policy mandate for marine carriers at the federal level; CMC is an affiliated partner.
• Western Marine Community Coalition: Coalition of Western Canadian marine industry organizations focused on cross-regional advocacy. Direct peer in scope and mission; CMC is a named partner organization within the coalition.

Broad incumbents

• Pacific Merchant Shipping Association: West Coast–focused trade association representing terminal operators and ocean carriers at US Pacific ports. Comparable advocacy-and-policy mandate for marine commerce in a neighboring Pacific maritime market, though oriented toward terminal/carrier interests rather than domestic tug/barge operators.

Others

• Canadian Ferry Association:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/council-of-marine-carriers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Council of Marine Carriers