Iqaluit

Size limits

LOA 160m, draught 9.1m, 12,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 12.2m.

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

Approach

Iqaluit can be approached through any of the navigable channels in the entrance to Upper Frobisher Bay, but the recommended approach is through Pike-Resor Channel.

Pike-Resor Channel: Pike-Resor Channel leads between Pike Island and Resor Island, and is free from ice before any of the other passages into Upper Frobisher Bay; local knowledge is required to navigate this channel.

There is a least depth of 44m along the recommended track and no sharp alterations of course are required. This is a considerable advantage as very strong tidal streams run through this channel, as with all the others, and makes Pike-Resor Channel the most suitable for a large vessel.

Directions: From a position 0.3nm E of the S extremity of Innuit Head a track of 335° leads at least 0.05nm clear of the reefs marked by lightbuoys, and E of the lightbuoy moored 0.15nm E of Innuit Head, on through to the inner anchorage 0.3nm NNE of Black Ledge.

Privately maintained radio beacons are located near the airfield.

Anchorages

Anchorage for large vessels may be obtained 0.5nm E of the N extremity of Monument Island in a depth of 37m, rock and mud bottom. This berth has been known to allow ships to drag in a moderate gale. A 9.7m patch lies 0.25nm SW of the anchorage.

In Koojesse Inlet the bottom is granite bedrock covered with thin patches of clay or mud. The anchorages here are considered safe except in winds from SE.

Some shelter is afforded by the hills on both side of the inlet and Long Island. The harbour is not normally affected by swell.

Anchorage with swinging room of 0.1nm can be found 0.3nm NE of the S extremity of Innuit Head in a depth of 33m, mud bottom, reported as poor holding ground.

Small vessels can anchor in the area between a line joining Polaris Reef and Black Ledge and the edge of a bank extending E from the W shore of the inlet in depths of 13.0 to 22.0m.

An anchorage for vessels under 107m in length is available 0.3nm NNE of Black Ledge, off drying flats at the head of the inlet, in a depth of about 13.0m, sand, mud and boulders bottom; a mooring buoy (orange and white) is positioned near this anchorage berth.

During a SE gale satisfactory anchorage was found by a small vessel, 0.5nm E of Long Island, in a depth of 11.0m.

Restrictions

It is advisable to be ready to leave the berth if strong winds are expected from the N or S. Two mooring buoys (orange and white) are situated to the E of Innuit Head.

Tugs

Tugs are not available, but landing craft assist vessels to berth and secure.

Charts and publications

BA 235, 4406. Admiralty Pilot NP12, NP286(5).

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

Minor repairs possible.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Limited fuel oil available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Qikiqtani General Hospital, 2.5km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Iqaluit Airport located at Nunavut, 1.9km.

Airport facilities: Daily service to Montreal.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Iqaluit is located at the head of Frobisher Bay in the southern region of Baffin Island, and is the capital of the Canadian Territory of Nunavut.

The port

The port has no alongside facilities; vessels providing supplies, either anchor or moor offshore and discharge into barges. Work has commenced on a project for new deep sea berthing facilities. Dredging and installation of culverts and armor stones will continue in warmer weather. An access road to the new port area has been installed. Equipment and construction site activities is stopped during the Winter. Due to ice, the port is only open between late July and mid October.

What are the pilot arrangements at Iqaluit?

Not compulsory. No recognisable service available although mooring advice is obtainable from the port management.

What time zone is Iqaluit in?

Local time at Iqaluit is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the water density at Iqaluit?

1025.

Which load line zone is Iqaluit 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 Iqaluit?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Iqaluit?

The UN/LOCODE of Iqaluit is CAIQL.

What crews who called at Iqaluit 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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