Port Alfred

Size limits

LOA 229.08m, beam 32.26m, draught 11.7m, 82,849DWT.

Water density

1002-1015.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Springs rise 5.6 - 6.3m, neaps rise to approx. 4.1m.

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

Approach

The berths at Port Alfred are approached on the alignment 262.75° of Port Alfred Leading Lights:

Front light, (white mast, 9m in height) on the roof of a docks building, (48°20.1'N 070°52.2'W);

Rear light (white mast, 21m in height), 123m W of the front light, on the same building.

The lights are visible on the leading line only and are privately maintained.

A beacon (orange) standing at the head of Poulette Cove, 1nm W of Cap Ouest.

Port limits

The outer limit of the port is a line drawn from a point on the shore approx 0.3nm N of Cap Ouest, (Cape West), (48°23'N 070°45'W), in a SE direction to the opposite shore.

Anchorages

Anchorage for vessels waiting for alongside berths is available off Anse a Philippe, water is deep.

Tugs

Tugs are normally used for berthing and unberthing sea going vessels. They join incoming vessel 1nm from Port Alfred. Two tugs are normally available.

Charts and publications

BA 4780. Admiralty Pilot NP65, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Masters are required to send an ETA, addressed to Port Kamsar agent and/or Shipping Superintendent CBG, through Port Kamsar satellite station 7, 5, 3 and 1 day prior to arrival at the port.

Communications

The port radio station is no longer working although satellite communication is possible throughout 24 hours.

VHF: Ch 16, 12. Watchkeeping hours are 0800-1200hrs and 1330-1730hrs on working days.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered by e-mail, upon arrival (drop anchor) at Kamsar Pilot Station, to: CBG Shipping Agency - [email protected]; [email protected] and [email protected].

Documents

No Bill of Lading is issued to vessels proceeding to China (mainland), Aughinish, Point Comfort, Port Alfred, Fos Sur Mer and San Ciprian.

Flags

The "Q" flag should be flown by arriving vessels.

Notices and regulations

Stowaways: It is the ship's Master and/or owner's responsibility to take all necessary precautions and inspections to prevent stowaways from coming onboard. They may board from the offshore side, using the anchor chains, pilot or Jacob's ladder, or from the shoreside using the mooring ropes or gangway.

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

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

Available nearby.

Transport

Nearest airport: Bagotville Airport, 6km.

Nearest railway: Roberval Saguenay (local) and CN, 19km.

Working hours

Mon-Sat 0800-1600hrs, 1600-2400hrs for general cargo.

Mon-Sat 0001-2400hrs for bulk commodities.

Where it is

Situated in the Province of Quebec, Port Alfred is an industrial town in Ha-Ha Bay at the head of the Saguenay River.

The port

Port Alfred consists of the Rio Tinto Alcan Terminal. Main cargoes handled include bauxite, alumina, coke and calcined coke.

Traffic

Approx 4,800,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Port Alfred?

Pilotage is compulsory.

What time zone is Port Alfred in?

Local time at Port Alfred 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 Port Alfred?

The deepest berth listed is at Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) - Port Alfred: 11.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Alfred?

1002-1015.

Which load line zone is Port Alfred 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 Port Alfred?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Alfred?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Alfred is CAPAF.

What crews who called at Port Alfred 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.

Read and add tips for Port Alfred →