Port Cartier

1. Port-Cartier pilot boarding place Pilot boards50°00.3′N 066°46.8′W

Size limits

LOA 295m, beam 46m, draught 16.5m, 18,3142DWT.

Water density

1021-1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Mean spring range approx 2.4m, mean neap range approx 1.4m.

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

Approach

PORT CARTIER HARBOUR:

Fairway Buoy located approx. 50° 0.200'N 66° 47.762'W.

Dry bulk vessels of 100,000 DWT and over should not exceed maximum Arrival Draft of 10.1m fwd and 11.6m aft.

Max arrival draft for tankers is 12.8m (or deeper if agreed by port).

The outer end of the approach channel is marked by Port Cartier Lightbuoy (a black and white vertically striped light and bell buoy Mo(A), equipped with a radar reflector) (50°00.1'N 066°47.5'W), moored approx 1.6nm SSW of the harbour entrance. Replaced by a spar buoy during the winter season (mid Nov to mid April).

The entrance channel is dredged at its inner end to a depth of 16.6m, over a width of 122m, at the harbour entrance the dredged width is reduced to approx 91m. Depth of water in the harbour is 15.3m.

Leading Lights: Front Light, (yellow diamond daymark, black stripe), (50°02.2'N 066°46.9'W), on the roof of a building near the NE corner of the harbour; Rear Light, (orange square daymark, black stripe on framework tower, 23m in height), 495m NNE of the front light.

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

The alignment 016.5° of these lights indicates the centre line of the entrance channel passing ESE of 2 circular caissons on the W side of the entrance, with a light (grey mast) on the outer caissons and; WNW of the head of an arm extending SW from the shore on the E side of the entrance, with a light, (grey mast, 5m in height) at the outer end.

Produits Forestiers Arbec S.E.N.C.:

Approach is from the South West (bearing 05.5°) with entrance marked by green buoy (KA 13, Fl(1).G.4s) 0.16nm from the pier head and red buoy (KA12, Fl(1).R.4s) 0.11nm from the pier head.

Port limits

Located within a 2nm radius from the Port Cartier Lightbuoy.

Traffic schemes and VTS

St Lawrence Waterway Traffic Regulations: The zone extends from the meridian of 066°00.0'W to Montreal. In general, the regulations state that a vessel must report to the Marine Traffic Regulator by contacting Channel Escoumins on 156.7MHz Ch 14 before entering Zone 1 (covering Port Cartier). Vessels have to maintain a continuous radio watch on Ch 14, except when alongside. Authorisation to communicate on another channel has to be requested from Channel Escoumins, unless the vessel is equipped with two radios.

Anchorages

Holding is reported to be good but tenable only in fair weather.

Clearance must be obtained from Channel Escoumins (see Traffic Schemes below) to move within the anchorages.

The nearest secure anchorage is in Baie des Sept Iles, 16.0nm to the East.

Restrictions

Vessels under LOA 275m may berth throughout 24 hours, vessels over LOA 275m berth in daylight only.

Dry bulk vessels of 100,000DWT and over should not exceed maximum arrival draught, 10.1m fwd and 11.6m aft.

Max arrival draught for tankers is 12.8m (or deeper if agreed by port).

Use of anchor in the harbour is prohibited due to an air bubble system on the bottom for ice control.

Tugs

Compulsory at the Port and will operate in accordance with the Standard Towing Conditions. Exceptions are made in the case of Coasters or vessels less than LOA 116m, unless requested by the Master, or if considered necessary by the Port Authority. ArcelorMittal reserves the right to refuse permission for a vessel to enter or leave the Port or change berth unless it is assisted by two tugs.

Mooring

The faces of all berths are fitted with rubber tire fenders. Mooring bollards are positioned 23m apart at berths 1, 2 and 3. Hooks at every pier on Berth No 4. All bollards, except those at Berths 1 and 2, are 1.2m in diameter and all mooring warps and wires should have eyes at least 2.4m. in diameter. ArcelorMittal Mines messenger lines should be used at all times.

Vessels are required to arrive alongside the loading berth with hatches open and gangway ready. On completion of loading, vessels are required to vacate the loading berth within one hour.

If additional time is required alongside the loading berth application for an extension must be made at the time of docking. Most vessels requiring additional dock time will be ordered to a lay-by berth, if available, or to anchor, at their own expense.

Charts and publications

BA 4778, 4775, 4774. Admiralty Pilot NP65, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

In the 24 hours ETA vessels will advise the estimated time for pumping ballast after arrival alongside. If this should change due to weather or any other cause, the Port Authority should be notified immediately.

Communications

Cable addresses "Cartier" Port Cartier.

Notice of readiness

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

Documents

Customs documentation, Pre-Arrival Documentation and a Crew List are required.

Health

Port Cartier does not have Quarantine Station status.

Customs and immigration

Port Cartier is not a customs port of entry.

Flags

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

Notices and regulations

Vessels under LOA 275m may berth throughout 24 hours, vessels over LOA 275m berth in daylight only.

Use of an anchor in the harbour is prohibited due to an air bubble system on the bottom for ice control.

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

Where it is

The port is situated on the N shore of the Gulf of St Lawrence, approx 35km W of Sept-Iles.

The port

Port Cartier harbour is a private facility which receives iron ore concentrate from the Mont-Wright Mining Complex by rail wagons. The concentrate is either sent to the pellet plant, the stockpiles or the port. The port consists of a six berth facility, two of which are used for the transhipment of grain from western Canada. Approximately 1.5nm to the South West is the Produits Forestiers Arbec terminal.

Traffic

Approx 450 vessels and 24,000,000t of iron ore products are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Port Cartier?

The pilot boards at Port-Cartier pilot boarding place, 50°00.3′N 066°46.8′W.

What time zone is Port Cartier in?

Local time at Port Cartier 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 Cartier?

The deepest berth listed is at ArcelorMittal Mines: 16.45 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Cartier?

1021-1025.

Which load line zone is Port Cartier 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 Cartier?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Cartier?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Cartier is CAPCA.

What crews who called at Port Cartier 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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