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September 11, 2007

Canada may ban LNG supertankers

Canadian lawmakers are considering a ban on supertankers carrying liquefied natural gas in a sensitive waterway Down East, a move U.S. politicians say is risking renewed territorial tensions between the two countries, according to the Associated Press.

Maxime Bernier, Canada's new minister of foreign affairs, recently said Canada is strongly opposed to LNG supertankers navigating the treacherous waters of Head Harbour Passage, which leads into Passamaquoddy Bay between Maine and New Brunswick, the AP reports. The potential ban could impact two proposals for LNG terminals on the Maine side of the bay that are currently making their way through the U.S. regulatory process.

While the U.S. State Department agrees the passage belongs to Canada, it considers it a territorial sea in which commercial ships have the right of innocent passage under international law.

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