Montreal

Size limits

LOA 299.95m, draught 10.07m, beam 44.0m, and 116,620DWT.

Water density

1000.

Tides

Nil.

The current alongside the berths is generally no more than 2kts, with the exception of the area W of Sainte-Helene Island, where St Mary's current is generally 4.5kts and sometimes reaches 6.5kts.

Latest information on this may be obtained from the Vessel Traffic Services Centre or the Coast Guard Traffic Centre.

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

Approach

Water depths in the Montreal area vary according to different elements, in particular climatic conditions. The Great Lakes supply water to the St. Lawrence; the more rain or snow in the Great Lakes region, the higher the water levels in this river. Conversely, warmer temperatures over an extended period of time cause average water levels in the river to decrease.

All shipping lines sailing to Montreal must know in advance what the river’s water depth will be so that cargo can be properly loaded its at the point of departure.

Montreal is approached and entered from NE through the main St Lawrence ship channel or through the small craft channel depending on the size of the vessel.

There are no locks between the mouth of the St Lawrence and Montreal. The channel, open all year round, is dredged to a depth of 11.3m at CD.

Controlling depths: S of a line joining "M189" Lightbuoy (port hand) (E of Berth No 48) and Ile Sainte-Helene Lightbuoy (preferred channel to port) (E of Berth No 39) the least depth in the channel is 8.2m. The channel has a least width of 244m until it approaches Jacques-Cartier Bridge where it narrows to 168m.

Port limits

For administrative purposes, the downstream limit of the port of Montreal coincides with the upstream limit of Sorel, crossing the St Lawrence River in the vicinity of 46°01'N 073°10'W. The S limit is marked by Pont Victoria (Victoria Bridge), 45°30'N 073°31'W.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is a Vessel Traffic Service in St Lawrence Seaway from Yamiche Bend to the upper limit of Montreal Harbour.

The VTS Centre is situated in the Marine Customs House on Sutherland Pier (45°33.0'N 073°32.0'W).

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: the nearest anchorage downstream is Ile Sainte-Therese off Lanoraie (45°57.51'N 73°13.22'W).

The limits of these anchorages are marked by buoys. Anchor berths are allocated by the Harbour Master. Pointe-aux-Trembes has four berths.

No vessel is permitted to anchor in an area extending 61m on each side of the centre line of the Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine Tunnel, abreast Longue-Pointe, due to the possibility of causing damage.

When underway, vessels should not trail their anchors, except in an emergency.

Longueuil (Vickers) - This anchorage is normally used by vessels awaiting a berth at the Viterra Glencore Grain Terminal berths (54 - 56), or their turn to enter the St. Lawrence Seaway. The depth is 9.1m. The maximum time limit at this anchorage is 72hrs for all vessels except tankers, for whom the time frame is limited to 48hrs, and depends on the vessel's characteristics and actual predicted weather.

Montreal-East - Anchorage may be used by one vessel at a time, less than LOA 150m, waiting for bunkering, or for orders. The depth is 9.14m. The maximum time limit at this anchorage is 120hrs for all vessels except tankers, for whom the time frame is limited to 48hrs. Vessels should preferably not be in ballast when using this anchorage.

Pointe-aux-Trembes - This anchorage has four areas at which to anchor. The depth is 11.0m for the second and third downstream areas, numbered 2 and 3. The depth is 11.3m for the first and fourth downstream areas, anchorages 1 and 4. The maximum time limit at this anchorage is 120hrs for all vessels except tankers, for whom the time frame is limited to 72hrs. Some restrictions apply.

Upstream of Contrecoeur - This emergency anchorage for a single vessel is 8.4m deep at

Chart Datum. The maximum time limit for use is 48 hours for all vessels. For safety and security purposes, use of this anchorage is prohibited between 15 December and 15 April in the presence of ice

Facing Contrecoeur Terminal - This emergency anchorage for a single vessel 10.8m deep at Chart Datum available to vessels in difficulty and when the upstream anchorage is unavailable. A vessel coming up or downstream, bound

for Contrecoeur, may use this anchorage, should it be unable to reduce speed enough to avoid a delayed vessel leaving Contrecoeur Terminal.

In all cases, vessels may not use this anchorage for prolonged periods of time, if waiting for the departure of a vessel at berth. The vessel must keep a Pilot on board, although tugs may be released. Use of this anchorage requires authorisation from MCTS. The anchorage may be used in Winter with prior authorisation from the Contrecoeur Terminal. Vessels may be permitted to anchor here in the evening if ice conditions permit. Use of this anchorage is prohibited if Ammonium Nitrate or explosives are being handled at the Contrecoeur Terminal.

Lonaire (Outer) Anchorage - Located between Sorel and Tracy, this anchorage is intended for vessels awaiting orders and for vessels waiting to dock at the Contrecoeur Terminal (see Contrecoeur entry). The anchorage can accommodate more than a dozen vessels. Anchorage positions are allocated. The depth is 13.0m. It has no time limit and is the only anchorage available to vessels anchoring more than 120hrs. Restrictions apply.

Restrictions

ICE: The port is open all year round, but due to likely ice conditions from Dec to Mar, inclusive, it is recommended that vessels navigating to Montreal be strengthened for ice.

Although the port is open all year round, night navigation may not be possible from mid Dec to early Apr when the summer buoys are removed.

BRIDGES: Pont Jacques-Cartier: A road bridge crosses the river between Montreal and Ile Sainte-Helene, then crosses the N end of Ile Notre Dame to the E shore. The length of the main span is 334m. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 49m across a distance of 152m under the centre of the main span, and of 51m over the ship channel, and a vertical clearance of 43m over Canal de la Rive Sud between Ile Notre Dame and the E shore.

Lights exhibited from under the main span indicate the limits of the channel under the bridge and lights on the bridge indicate the centre line of the channel.

Pont Victoria: A combined road and railway bridge, spans the river approx 2nm above Pont Jacques Cartier. The bridge joins Montreal and Saint Lambert, (45°30'N 073°31'W), crossing the lower end of Saint-Lambert Lock, the first lock on the St Lawrence Seaway. Another road and rail bridge spans the upstream end of the lock. Both bridges have vertical lift sections over the lock, with vertical clearances of 36.6m.

Pont de la Concorde joins the lower end of Cite-du-Havre to Ile Sainte-Helene.

OVERHEAD CABLES: Note - All cables have a reduced overhead clearance in periods of severe icing.

Power transmission lines with a min vertical clearance of 53.9m, (48.1m under severe ice conditions), span the main ship channel near the S end of Ile Sainte-Therese at the N end of the harbour. The supporting towers on each side of the river and on the mid river islands are marked by red lights.

Power transmission lines with a minimum overhead clearance of 53.6m, span the main ship channel from Longue-Pointe to Ile Charron, the supporting towers are marked by red lights.

Power transmission lines, with a min overhead clearance of 22m on the W side and 32m on the E side span the river close N of Pont Victoria. This same power line crosses the Canal De La Rive Sud with a vertical clearance of 48.7m.

Another power transmission line crosses the river 0.3nm S of Pont Victoria, with a vertical clearance of 46m over the Canal de la Rive Sud.

A power transmission line spans the St Lawrence at Iles de Varennes (45°39.64'N 73°27.53'W) with a vertical clearance of 53m, reducing to 48m in cases of severe icing. The supporting towers are marked by red lights.

SPEED LIMITS: A speed limit of 8kts is imposed S of a line drawn between the N limit of Berth 19 (45°31.0'N 073°33.0'W, and Pointe du Havre, 0.25 cables SE. Particular care should be taken to prevent damage to moored vessels in the vicinity of Berths 78, 79 and 46 because of the reduced width of the channel.

TUNNEL: The Louis-Hippolyte-Lafontaine Vehicle Tunnel takes the Trans-Canada Highway under the river between Longue-Pointe (45°34.97'N 73°30.74'W) and Ile Charron. A system of dykes protects the E end of the tunnel, stretching out as far as 1.7nm off the edge of the dredged channel.

PIPELINE: A pipeline extends from the dykes into the channel just N of the tunnel.

Tugs

There are four companies that offer towing services at the port. These include:

Ocean Remorquage Montreal Inc. (a subsidiary of Le Groupe Ocean Inc.) operate a modern fleet of 20 tugs ranging from 1,200 - 6,500hp.

McKeil Marine Ltd., which has a fleet of 25 tugs ranging from 800 - 6,000hp, as well as a large number of deck barges for project cargo, transportation and marine construction.

Montreal Boatmen/Les Chaloupiers de Montreal (a subsidiary of WestPier Marine Group) operates a tug and barge service from Section 115 at the main anchorage area of the Port of Montreal. They provide a full range of services to vessels at anchor in the Pointe-Aux-Trembles, Vickers and Montreal-East anchorage areas. In addition to anchorage services, the vessels have the capability to move special or project cargoes.

Charts and publications

BA 4792, 4793. Admiralty Pilot NP65, NP286(5).

Canadian Chart 1310.

US Chart 14198. US Sailing Directions No 145 (Nova Scotia and the St. Lawrence).

Communications

Radio messages can also be passed through Halifax Radio "VCS" or Montreal Radio "VFN" throughout 24 hours.

Communication is possible through Inmarsat.

Notice of readiness

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

Documents

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires, under the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) Program that all marine carriers transmit electronic cargo and conveyance reports using the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) within the appropriate ACI timeframes. Carriers using EDI are required to complete an application form and submit it to the Technical Commercial Client Unit (TCCU). This applies to all vessels carrying commercial goods that are loaded in a country other than Canada and that arrive in a port in Canada. The requirement applies to all import, in-transit, and Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) shipments.

Further details, with a list of CBSA forms and Reporting Requirements, can be found on the CBSA website: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

All vessels (via their Agent or other appropriate person) in international commercial service arriving in Canada must proceed without delay directly to a CBSA office designated for the clearance of vessels. The complete inward report package includes: Form E1, Ships Stores Declaration; Form IMM200, Crew List; the Form Y14, Crew's Effects Declaration. The package must be presented to the CBSA prior to any persons being allowed to disembark or embark the vessel, or any cargo being discharged.

Health

Information concerning Quarantine Regulations can be found on the Canadian Government website: https://www.canada.ca/en

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 (SSCC) and Exemption Certificates (SSCEC) can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

A Summary Cargo Declaration Form can be found on the Port of Montreal's website: https://www.port-montreal.com/en/cargo-declaration.html

Flags

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

Notices and regulations

Current Practices and Procedures for the Port of Montreal can be found on website link: https://www.port-montreal.com/files/PDF/Politiques%2C%20lois%20et%20reglements/WEB2019-PRATIQUES-PROCEDURES-FR.pdf

The Montreal Marine Traffic Regulating Centre prepares and maintains an order of transit roster for vessels proceeding into the St Lawrence Seaway. Masters of vessels establish their turn by calling Montreal on VHF Ch 10 when in all respects ready for transit, stating the name of the vessel, length, present location, destination, draught forward and aft.

The Regulating Centre will notify the ship in sufficient time to make ready to proceed and will arrange for the pilot to board. In order not to miss their turn vessels are required to maintain a radio watch on the frequency for the sector they are in.

Dangerous goods handling permit: Any dangerous goods entering the port are required to have a permit. The Dangerous Goods Permit request form, which is provided by the Montreal Port Authority, must be filled out by the agent responsible and returned to the Harbour Master's Department as quickly as possible.

Special Requirements for Tankers:

Prior to arriving at any berth other than those designated for oil, gas or chemical ships, a tanker must be gas-free or inert. Designated oil, gas or chemical berths are berths 57 North, 74, and 94 to 110. A gas-free certificate must be sent to the HMCC in order to obtain clearance for the vessel to proceed to a non-designated berth. (For more information, contact the Deputy Harbour Master, Shore Division at: 514 283-7039).

No vessel carrying crude oil, gasoline or other flammable cargo in bulk that has a flash point below 23°C shall anchor anywhere above Lanoraie (45°57.0'N 073°13.0'W) without permission of the Harbour Master.

Burning and welding permits: Before any hot work is carried out in the port, a burning and welding permit application must be submitted to the Harbour Master's Control Centre.

Permit for laying up a vessel: A permit is required for any vessel moored at the port. The form entitled "Permission to lay up a vessel" provided by the Montreal Port Authority, must be completed by the agent and returned to the Harbour Master's Department as soon as possible.

Right of way: Every vessel proceeding downstream in the St Lawrence Seaway ship channel shall have the right of way over any vessel entering or leaving the St Lawrence Seaway. Should two vessels meet in Courant Sainte-Marie, the channel W of Ile Sainte-Helene, the upstream vessel must stop and allow the downstream vessel to pass.

Sound signals: Every vessel about to leave any berth, wharf or pier shall, before leaving, sound one prolonged blast on its whistle or siren. Every vessel backing out of any wharf, basin or dock shall sound three short blasts in succession on its whistle or siren.

Movement: Vessels requiring to move within the Montreal Harbour area are required to give three hours' notice of the move.

Oil spills: Should be reported immediately to the Canadian Coast Guard via the MCTS on VHF.

Garbage: Only domestic garbage, recycling, industrial waste and hazardous waste is accepted by Port service providers. No international waste is accepted.

Bunkering: Depending bunkering options and type of fuel, documentation may have to be submitted (see "General" section (Bunkers)).

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

Hull, deck and engine repairs, all general repairs and diving services available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available. This service is to be requested to the Harbour Master's Control Centre.

Stores: Available.

Bunkering: Most types and grades of fuel oil and diesel oil are available, using the following options:

Liquefied natural gas Bunkering must only take place at designated location, which are sections 34-35 or 98-100.

Medical

Notre Dame, Montreal, 1km, St Mary's Hospital, St-Luc Hospital, Montreal General Hospital and Jewish General Hospital.

Transport

Nearest airport: Montreal International Airport at Dorval, 25km.

Nearest railway: In port, Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Montreal is located on the N shore of the St Lawrence River, midway between the mouth of the river and the Great Lakes, approx 1,600km from the Atlantic coast.

The port

Montreal is a multi-functional port, handling all types of cargo, containerised and non containerised general cargo and dry and liquid bulk. Full multimodal facilities are available.

Commodities handled include: fruit, nuts and vegetables, grain, raw sugar, alcoholic beverages, lumber, pulp and paper, chemical products, iron, steel and alloys, non ferrous metals, machinery and implements, iron ore, manganese ore, coal, gypsum, fertilisers, salt and petroleum products.

Traffic

Approx 35,000,000t of cargo (out of this amount 9,000,000t of grain are handled), 1,500,000TEU, 2,000 vessels, and 65,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Montreal?

Compulsory. The River pilots are responsible for the berthing and casting off of vessels.

What time zone is Montreal in?

Local time at Montreal 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 Montreal?

The deepest berth listed is at Montreal East Terminal (Liquid Bulk Terminal): 10.07 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Montreal?

1000.

Who carries out Port State Control at Montreal?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Montreal?

The UN/LOCODE of Montreal is CAMTR.

What crews who called at Montreal 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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