Contrecoeur

Size limits

LOA 229m, draught 10.4m, beam 32.26m, and 81,982DWT.

Water density

1000.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The directions for berthing are as follows: The wharf is approached through an area, dredged to a depth of 10.7m, adjacent to the SE side of the main ship channel.

There are 2 lightbuoys (special), marked "VEA" and "VEB", moored 0.1nm and 0.3nm respectively, SW of the berths.

The approach area to the berths also serves as an emergency anchorage for the main ship channel.

Depths of 9.5m extend NNE from the terminal along the E boundary of the emergency anchorage area to the vicinity of "M57" Lightbuoy, which lies 0.6nm NNE of the berths. Depths of 9.0m lie along the S boundary of the anchorage area between "M77" Lightbuoy, (0.3nm WSW of the berths), "VEA" Lightbuoy (special) and the S point of Berth No 1.

Further S of this line adjacent to Berth No 2 the depth is 6.1m.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Traffic along the St Lawrence River is controlled by the St Lawrence River Vessel Traffic Service. Movement at the port is monitored by Montreal VTS centre. Email: [email protected]

Anchorages

Upstream of Contrecoeur there is a single vessel anchorage that is 8.23m deep. The maximum time limit is 48hrs for all vessels. For safety and security purposes, use of this anchorage is prohibited between December 15th - April 15th due to the presence of ice.

Facing the Contrecoeur Maritime Terminal a single vessel anchorage is available to vessels in difficulty and when the upstream anchorage is unavailable. A vessel transiting up or downstream, destined for Contrecoeur, may use this anchorage, should it be unable to reduce speed enough to avoid a delayed vessel leaving the Contrecoeur Maritime Terminal. In all cases, when a vessel must wait at this anchorage for the departure of a vessel at berth, it may not do so for a long period of time, otherwise the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) will direct said vessel upstream of the Contrecoeur anchorage. All vessels at this anchorage must keep a pilot on board, although the tug may be released. Any vessel movement requires Montreal Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) authorisation. The anchorage may be used in winter with the authorisation of the Contrecoeur Maritime Terminal. The vessel may be able to anchor in the evening if ice conditions permit. Use of this anchorage is prohibited if ammonium nitrate or explosives are being handled at the terminal.

Lanoraie Anchorage, located between Sorel and Tracy, is an anchorage intended for vessels awaiting orders and for vessels waiting to dock at the Contrecoeur Maritime Terminal. It can accommodate more than a dozen vessels and has an average depth of 13.0m. It has no time limit and is the only available anchorage for vessels anchoring more than 120hrs. Restrictions apply as per Canadian Coast Guard Notices to Mariners (27A).

Restrictions

Average UKC 0.9m according to Coast Guard Guide and depending on width of vessel.

Tugs

Tugs are not mandatory. The number of tugs used is subject to size of vessel and used at the discretion of the commander and/or pilot.

Charts and publications

BA 4792. Admiralty Pilot NP65, NP286(5).

Communications

Communications: Radio: Messages can be passed through Halifax Radio "VCS" or Montreal Radio "VFN" throughout 24 hours.

Communication is possible through Inmarsat.

VHF: Montreal VTS Centre: Ch 10, call Montreal Traffic (VFN).

Notice of readiness

As per Charter Party or upon docking with first line ashore.

Documents

The authorities will accept IMO forms.

The forms are for Revenue Canada Customs and Excise. The vessel's agent will file the documents with the Customs office after the vessel has berthed.

If the required forms are not onboard they can be delivered with the pilot if agent is notified in advance.

Health

Pratique should only be applied for when vessel is arriving from a country which has a plague outbreak or the vessel has had a death onboard and serious illness among the crew or infestation of rats. Pratique can be applied for by radio.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Flags

State flag at the stern, Canadian flag on the mast.

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkers: Available by road tanker only. Must be cleared by terminal prior to delivery.

Fresh water: Available by road tanker only.

Stores: Provisions available

Medical

Montreal.

Transport

Nearest airport: Dorval.

Nearest railway: Dock side rail link to Canadian National Railway.

Working hours

24hrs a day when discharging bulk cargo.

Where it is

Contrecoeur is situated on the S shore of the St Lawrence River, approx 21nm SE of Montreal and close to Sorel. The port is open all year.

The port

The privately operated facility is used for the transhipment of bulk and general cargoes.

What are the pilot arrangements at Contrecoeur?

Pilot boards at Three Rivers or Montreal.

What time zone is Contrecoeur in?

Local time at Contrecoeur 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 Contrecoeur?

The deepest berth listed is at Contrecoeur Maritime Terminal: 10.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Contrecoeur?

1000.

Who carries out Port State Control at Contrecoeur?

Port State Control at Contrecoeur: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Contrecoeur?

The UN/LOCODE of Contrecoeur is CACOC.

What crews who called at Contrecoeur 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.

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