Halifax

1. Halifax Alternate Pilot boards44°29.0′N 063°28.1′W

Size limits

LOA 396m, beam 53.6m, draught 16.8m, 187,625DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Area. For ships over 100m in length, Winter Dec 16 to Feb 15, Summer Feb 16 to Dec 15. For ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 1.98m springs, 1.30m neaps, max tidal range 2.1m.

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

Approach

The main approach and entry to the port is via a well marked channel, with a least depth on the leading line of 17.1m. The channel is entered close NE of Chebucto Head and passing SW of McNabs Island.

Entry through the Eastern Passage, which passes NE of McNabs Island is available only to coasters.

Bedford Basin, which lies at the head of Halifax Harbour is entered through The Narrows.

Mariners transiting the Narrows are advised to remain in mid channel, particularly in deep draught vessels when passing beneath the main spans of the 2 suspension bridges and in the vicinity of the thermal power plant, near the entrance to Tufts Cove where the axis of the channel changes direction and banks extend from either shore.

Controlled Access Zones are designated at three locations within the Narrows, in the waters enclosing: The Naval Dockyard, the Naval Dockyard Annex, and the Navy mooring buoys close SE of the Angus L Macdonald Bridge.

Port limits

The seaward limit of the port lies across the harbour in the vicinity of the NW end of McNabs Island (44°36'N 063°31'W).

Traffic schemes and VTS

Halifax TSS leads within the Canadian territorial waters, through the approaches to the harbour entrance, with inbound and outbound lanes from and to E, SSE and SW.

Mariners are advised of the following:

The inbound lane for traffic approaching from SSE, crosses the outbound traffic proceeding E, in the vicinity of "HB" Lightbuoy, 44°27'N 063°27'W;

The inbound lane for traffic approaching from SW, crosses the outbound traffic proceeding SSE in the vicinity of 44°18'N 063°25'W, S of "HA" Lightbuoy as well as crossing outbound traffic proceeding E as described above.

The VTS Centre provides, on request, information on traffic, weather or other conditions.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: Anchorage areas "A" and "B" are situated E of the TSS lanes abeam of Chebucto Head.

Harbour SE of the Narrows: There are 7 numbered anchorage berths, between the N end of McNabs Island and Dartmouth, of which No 1 (position 44°38'N 063°33'W) is the quarantine anchorage.

Bedford Basin: There are 5 numbered anchorage berths, Nos 8-12, on the W side of Bedford Basin, each approximately 0.5nm from the W shore.

Good anchorage can be found S of a line joining Sherwood and Seaview points. Anchorage is also available, clear of the prohibited areas, elsewhere in the basin including Bedford Bay.

Prohibited anchorage areas: There are many, in all parts of the harbour, involving submarine cables, (operational and abandoned), pipelines, ground tackle, unexploded ordnance, etc. They include the following:

An extensive area of the main channel entrance W of McNabs Island.

All parts of the E passage from close N of Lawlor Island directional light.

The fairway of Northwest Arm.

Caution: Mariners should not to anchor in the vicinity of any submarine cables, which lie outside the designated prohibited anchorage areas.

Restrictions

Traffic movement may be restricted during transit of deep draught crude oil tankers.

Vertical Clearances: Angus L Macdonald Bridge has 47m vertical clearance at HW under the centre of the main span (SW). A Murray Mackay Bridge has 49m vertical clearance at HW in the centre of the channel under the main span. Vessels with airdraught exceeding 46m will have clearance checked by Air Gap Measurement System (AGMS), this applies to the larger number of post Panamax vessels passing through the Narrows.

Overhead Cables: At the Narrows have a vertical clearance of at least 52m.

Fishing Nets: Normally laid in the areas of Head Rock Shoal (44°33'N 63°29'W) and Thrumcap Shoal (44°34'N 63°30'W).

Ferries: A regular passenger ferry service operates between Dartmouth Ferry Dock (44°39.8' N 63°34.2'W) and Halifax Ferry Dock, 0.8nm to the S. Lights are displayed from both ferry docks.

Dumping Ground: Unexploded ordnance in the vicinity of an uncharted wreck close to Black Point (44°31.8' N 63°32.0'W).

Accoustic Testing Range: For the use of HM Canadian vessels, is located between Maugher Beach Light (44°36N 63°32.W) and Ives Point, 1.25nm NNW. Vessels using this Range display the second substitute of The International Code of Signals and required to follow the alignment of 339°/159° of Halifax Harbour Inner Reach.

Tugs

Atlantic Towing Ltd. operates a large fleet of modern tugs ranging from 1,250hp - 5,400hp for harbour, coastal and deep sea towing and salvage.

Mooring

Groups of moorings buoys, for use by the Navy, are located at the entrance to McNabs Cove; SE of Angus L Macdonald Bridge and in Bedford Basin, 1.5nm N of Sherwood Point. All these mooring buoys are within Controlled Access Zones.

Charts and publications

BA 4754, 4752, 4751, 4747, 4748. Admiralty Pilot NP59, NP286(5).

Communications

Halifax Coast Guard Radio (callsign "VCS") can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. AMVER messages can be passed through "VCS".

Notice of readiness

NOR normally tendered when vessel secured alongside berth except most tankers tender on arrival pilot station or at port limits.

Documents

Documents are received by Canada Customs on arrival or in the absence of Customs it is the responsibility of the vessel's agent to take documents to Canada Customs and Immigration.

Health

Pratique should be applied for when arriving from a country which has infectious diseases or death onboard from unknown causes. Pratique is applied for through the vessel's agent.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: For each officer or crew member the allowance is 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or cagarillos, 0.20kg manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks plus up to 1.5 litres of wine or 1.14 litres of liquor (or 1.14 litres of wine and liquor) or 8.5 litres of beer or ale. If this personal allowances is exceeded, then duty and taxes will be imposed as well as provincial and territorial assessments, if applicable. For further details see http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Immigration: Routine filing of documents is undertaken by the vessel's agent. There are no restrictions on crew and/or passengers except those who require a visa. If they do not possess a visa they must remain aboard the vessel.

Flags

"Q" flag until clearance has been granted, "H" flag when pilot onboard.

Notices and regulations

The Port Authority is permitted to order vessels to be moved, anchored or berthed and to use tugs, as directed.

A copy of the Halifax Port Authority Practices and Procedures can be found on their website: http://www.portofhalifax.ca

Fairview Cove Sequestration Facility: is an approved location for the disposal of pyritic slate. Each prospective contractor must retain an independent consultant to conduct a series of environmental testing prior to the Halifax Port Authority accepting material.

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

Repairs

Halifax (Irving) Shipyard provides shipbuilding and marine support services for vessels up to Panamax size. The modernised plant is capable of new construction, repairs, reefs and major vessel overhauls. Facilities include 3 fully serviced docks; outfitting berths and wharf; module assembly shops; plate, pipe and machine shops and support services.

Dry docks

Halifax Shipyard: There are 2 floating drydocks and 1 graving dock.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available. Water barges available through private contractor. 50tph per hose.

Bunkering: Available by barge at any location within the harbour either alongside or at anchor.

No vessel is allowed to bunker while carrying or handling Class 1 Dangerous Goods.

Stores: Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Halifax International, 35km N.

Airport facilities: One public user airport, one military airport. Facilities for airfreight and crew change.

Nearest railway: At Dockside (rail service by Canadian National (CN) Railway).

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs. After normal hours work is overtime. Labour is available throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Halifax is a large deep water seaport situated on the E coast of Nova Scotia approached directly from the Atlantic and within 130km of the great circle route from Northern Europe to New York.

The port

Halifax Harbour, naturally sheltered by the large inner Bedford Basin, is an all-weather, ice-free port with common user and private berths, transit sheds, and intermodal facilities with dockside rail links. It serves container vessels, cruise ships, and maritime businesses, featuring shipyards with drydocks, graving docks, and marine slips. Key exports include grain, gypsum, lumber, fish, and general cargo, while imports comprise rubber, automobiles, crude oil, and containers, with recent project cargo including wind turbine parts. Maritime Forces Atlantic also operates a significant base in the Central Harbour.

Traffic

Approx 8,600,000t of cargo and 509,000TEU handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Halifax?

The pilot boards at Halifax Alternate, 44°29.0′N 063°28.1′W.

What time zone is Halifax in?

Local time at Halifax is UTC−4. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−4 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Halifax?

The deepest berth listed is at Imperial: 15.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Halifax?

1025.

Which load line zone is Halifax in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Area.

Who carries out Port State Control at Halifax?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Halifax?

The UN/LOCODE of Halifax is CAHAL.

What crews who called at Halifax 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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