PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Baie-Comeau
Pilot
updated May 2010Not compulsory, but recommended. The use of a tug and the services of a Docking Master are compulsory for a ship berthing at Cargill and Alcoa Terminals.
Key data
updated Mar 2022Size limits
Draught 10.1m, LOA 259.1m, beam 36.6m, 60,000DWT.
Water density
1000-1025.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Mean spring range approx 3.1m, mean neap range approx 1.6m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargill Ocean Terminal | 10.10 m | 229 m | 2 |
| Alcoa Baie-Comeau Smelter Terminal | — | 223 m | 3 |
| Multi-User Terminal | 9.00 m | 226 m | 4 |
| Baie-Comeau Ferry Terminal | — | 120 m | 2 |
| Terminal No.5 | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2022Approach
Directions for entering the harbour: From the vicinity of 49°12'N 068°00'W on the alignment 312.5° of the leading lights, at the head of Baie des Anglais, continue into the bay, passing approx 1.25nm ENE of "KD14" Lightbuoy, (starboard hand, bell), 3.5nm SSE of Pointe Saint Pancrace.
There is no channel between the public wharf and the navigable waters.
Port limits
The outer limit of the port is the line joining Pointe Saint Pancrace, (49°15'N 068°05'W) and Pointe Saint Gilles, 4nm SW.
Anchorages
Anchorage is available in the vicinity of Baie-Comeau, but a heavy sea rolls into Baie des Anglais with E winds.
Restrictions
Channel depth at extreme LW is 8.2m.
Tugs
Tug assistance is not compulsory for public wharves sections 1, 2, 3 and 4. Private wharves Cargill and Alcoa, require tug assistance.
Charts and publications
ATL 110 Can Chart 1226. BA 4777, 4778. Admiralty Pilot NP65, NP286(5).
Inspections
Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
Inspection of ships in Canada
Transport Canada,
Inspection and Operations Standards Division,
Tower C, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5.
For Flag State Inspection Standards (Canadian Vessels):
Tel: +1 613 991 3135
Fax: +1 613 991 4818
Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863
Email: [email protected]
For Port State Control Standards (Foreign Vessels):
Tel: +1 613 991 3135
Fax: +1 613 993 8196
Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863
Email: [email protected]
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate Marine Security - Transport Canada.
Position: Director General.
Address: 112 Kent Street, Tower B, Place de Ville, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5, Canada.
Tel: +1 613 851 6302
Fax: +1 613 949 3906
Website: http://www.tc.gc.ca
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Minor repairs only.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available by truck.
Bunkering: Bunker diesel and gasoline are available on request.
Provisions: Available.
Medical
There is a hospital in Baie-Comeau.
Transport
Nearest airport: Baie-Comeau, providing daily services and Pointe Lebel regional airport, approx 30km west.
Nearest railway: Baie-Comeau. There is a Private railway servicing the local area.
Highway 132 is accessible from the port.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs, overtime as required.
About Baie-Comeau
updated Mar 2022Where it is
Baie-Comeau is located on the N shore of the St Lawrence River, NE of the mouth of the Manicouagan River and 179nm E of Quebec.
The port
Baie-Comeau is a shipping port for exporting goods produced in the region and is connected to the provincial highway system. There is a daily passenger ferry service and a rail ferry service which crosses the St Lawrence River between Baie-Comeau and Matane. Baie-Comeau is the only city in Eastern Quebec linking the North shore to the North American railway network. Rail cargo shipment as far away as Sept Iles (see separate entry) must be routed through Baie-Comeau to reach Canadian and North American markets.
The harbour is open all year round, but occasionally the assistance of icebreakers may be required.
Cargo handled is mainly wood, newspaper and general cargoes.
The private berths of Cargill and Alcoa are to the N of the port.
Traffic
Approx. 5,700,000t of cargo and 400 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Baie-Comeau
What are the pilot arrangements at Baie-Comeau?
Not compulsory, but recommended.
What time zone is Baie-Comeau in?
Local time at Baie-Comeau is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Baie-Comeau?
The deepest berth listed is at Cargill Ocean Terminal: 10.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Baie-Comeau?
1000-1025.
Which load line zone is Baie-Comeau in?
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Baie-Comeau?
Port State Control at Baie-Comeau: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Baie-Comeau?
The UN/LOCODE of Baie-Comeau is CABCO.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Baie-Comeau say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.