Quebec

1. Quebec pilot boarding — Les Escoumins station Pilot boards48°19.0′N 069°25.0′W

Size limits

LOA 345.03m, draught 15.5m, beam 50.0m, 207,947DWT

Water density

1000.

Tides

Unusual Water Levels: Generally, water levels in the area rise higher with strong NE winds, and fall lower with SW winds. However, the level at Quebec is also considerably affected by the river level, which is highest around April time, falling gradually until the late Autumn, and lowest in the Winter.

Springs - 6.0m, Neaps - 3.5m.

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

Approach

Sandy conditions in the area means that depths along the coast and in dredged channels may be subject to change. The Coast Guard Information Centre should be contacted for the latest information on these.

The directions for entering the harbour are as follows:

Approach from Chenal des Grands Voiliers:

The initial approach is mid channel, S of Beaulieu Light, (46°51'N 071°08'W).

The buoyed channel leads WNW, then SW passing NNE of Battures de la Pointe de Levy, (Pointe-Levis Shoal), extending from the S shore in the vicinity of the shipyard piers, (46°50'N 070°10'W) at Lauzon.

Approach from Chenal de I'lle d'Orleans:

The initial position is 1.25nm N of Pointe du Bout de I'lle, (46°51N 071°08'W).

On the alignment 023.75°, astern of L'Ange Gardien leading lights continues into the N end of the port of Quebec, passing:

ESE of Battures de Beauport (Beauport Flats, Beauport Bank), drying flats of slate, covered with mud, which front the reclaimed land forming the shoreline NE of the entrance to Riviere Saint-Charles and; WNW of Cailloux du Pied de Saint-Roch, drying rocky ground extending approx 0.3nm offshore NE of Pointe du Bout de I'lle, then; SW of the alignment 228.5° of Quebec leading lights.

Caution: The ingoing tidal stream sets obliquely towards Battures de Beauport, approx 1nm NE of the entrance to Estuaire de la Riviere Saint-Charles.

Port limits

The downstream limit is delineated by lines extending SSE and NNW from the SE end of Ile d'Orleans. The upstream limit is in the vicinity of Cap Rouge, (46°45'N 071°20'W).

Traffic schemes and VTS

A marine traffic regulating system is in effect in the approaches to and in the port of Quebec. The St Lawrence River Vessel Traffic System, (VTS) extends from due S of Sept Iles to the upper limits of Montreal Harbour.

All vessels over 100GT and more than 20m in length are required to be fitted with VHF radiotelephone equipment and maintain a continuous listening watch on designated frequencies which are manned at all times at the following VTS centres: Les Escoumins, (VHF Ch 09), Quebec, (VHF Ch 11 and VHF Ch 12) and Montreal, (VHF Ch 10) intended exclusively for marine traffic safety information and traffic surveillance messages.

The Master of a vessel must obtain clearance from the proper regulating centre before entering waters under the Marine Traffic Regulating jurisdiction. A complete description of the system is available from the regional VTS Manager, Canadian Coast Guard.

Anchorages

To the S of the port area, the N limit of Anchorages 'A', 'B' and 'C' is marked on the chart by a line, extending ESE from the shore (46°48.57'N 071°12.17'W) between Wharf Area 94 and 95 across to the far shore at Levis.

Anchorage Area 'D' is located in the N part of the harbour, near the entrance to Chenal de I'lle d'Orleans.

Anchoring within the harbour limits is prohibited without the permission of the Harbour Master.

Restrictions

Speed: Regulations state that no vessels should move within the port at a speed that may endanger life or property. The speed limit in the harbour is 9kts and within Bassin Louise is 3kts.

Compass Adjustment and Calibration: Must be done in the designated area. Permission should be obtained from the Harbour Master before this is done.

Ice: From approx January through to March, vessels intending to visit Quebec need to be reinforced for ice.

Draught: North traverse, draught limited to 12.5m at LW, 50km from Quebec.

Bridges: There are 2 bridges that span the narrows close above the mouth of Riviere Chaudiere, (46°45'N 071°17'W).

Pont de Quebec is a combined road and rail cantilever bridge, with a distance between piers of 549m and a vertical clearance of 46m. There is a green light shown 3nm N of the centre line of the middle span. White lights 232m apart, under each end of the middle span mark the N and S limits of the channel, where the vertical clearance is 46m. Red lights are placed under the middle of the cantilever arms, 82m outside each white light, where the vertical clearance is 27m.

Pont Pierre-Laporte, close up stream of the Pont de Quebec, has a distance between piers of 665m and a vertical clearance of 49m. A green light marks the centre of the channel. White lights are shown 113m N and 117m S of the green lights, to mark the channel limits, where the vertical clearance is 49m. Red lights are shown 175m N and 193m S of the green lights, where the vertical clearance is 48m.

All these lights are exhibited from the upstream and downstream sides of the bridges.

Overhead cables: Power transmission lines, (vertical clearance 48m), span the river between the 2 bridges, other power transmission lines, (vertical clearance 45m, or 32m under severe icing conditions), span the river close above the Pont Pierre Laporte.

Power transmission lines span the river in the N part of the harbour, near the entrance to Chenal de I'lle d'Orleans (vertical clearance 53m).

The speed limit in the harbour is 9kts and within Bassin Louise it is 3kts.

Tugs

All vessels docking stern first, port side to dock on a flood tide at the Inner berth will use two tugs at all times.

It is understood that the authority to order additional tugs is, at all times, the sole responsibility of the Master jointly with the pilot(s) in order to ensure the safety and proper berthing and/or unberthing operation of the vessel.

Mooring

St Romuald Terminal: The tides and winds have a strong bearing on the speed of the current prevailing at the terminal. The flood stream pushes the vessel away from the dock whilst the ebb stream pushes the vessel against the dock on Berth No. 87 with the opposite effect on Berth No. 86.

The number of lines and their configuration depend on the deadweight of the vessel, the weather conditions and other factors to be considered by the master.

All mooring lines are to be sent out as single ends until the vessel is in position at which time bights may be sent. Bights of wire rope are not permitted.

Charts and publications

Can 1316, BA 4785, 4786, 4787. Admiralty Pilot NP65, NP286(5).

Notice of readiness

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

Documents

The authorities will accept IMO forms.

The forms are for Revenue Canada Customs and Excise. The vessel's agent will file the documents with the Customs office after the vessel has berthed.

If the required forms are not onboard they can be delivered with the pilot if agent is notified in advance.

Health

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 Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

For further information contact the Customs Officer on Tel: +1 418 648 4445 or website www.cbsa.ca.

Flags

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

Notices and regulations

The Authority may refuse to allow any vessel to enter the harbour when the vessel is carrying dangerous cargo or explosives or, in the opinion of the Authority is in a dangerous condition.

Traffic signals: Vessels manoeuvring within the harbour should make the appropriate sound signals on their sirens or whistles. Any vessel before entering or leaving Estuaire de la Riviere Saint-Charles or the outer Bassin Louise, is required to sound two prolonged blasts followed immediately by one short blast.

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

Launching ramp available (46° 40.768'N., 64° 51.730'W).

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: DO available by road tanker.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hopital Stella-Maris-de-Kent (14.75km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Greater Moncton Romeo LeBlanc International Airport (64km).

Nearest highway: Port has access to New Brunswick Route 11. The 440km road travels from Moncton in the S to the Quebec border in the N.

Nearest railway: Rogersville (43.5km).

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs. Overtime as required.

Where it is

Quebec is located on the St Lawrence River, 750nm from the Atlantic Ocean, around the entrance to the St Charles River.

The port

Quebec is the farthest inland deep water connection to the Great Lakes, St Lawrence Seaway and is also favourably placed for trade with North European ports and provides full intermodal connections to all its terminals.

The North Shore area includes the port areas of The Estuary, Anse au Foulon, Beauport and two cruise liner berths at Pointe-a-Carcy. The South Shore includes a cruise/passenger and fast ferry terminal at Levis and two tanker berths at St Romuald used for the largest oil refinery in E Canada, owned by Ultramar. The port includes wharves for mineral concentrates, coal and chemicals, grain elevators and general purpose berths handling goods ranging from dairy products to newsprint. There are extensive repair and bunkering services and year round navigation.

Exports: Grain, ores and concentrates, newsprint, scrap metal, granite and petroleum products.

Imports: Crude oil, grain, iron ore, clinker and salt.

Traffic

Approx. 26,500,000t of cargo, 1,300 vessels and 237,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Quebec?

The pilot boards at Quebec pilot boarding — Les Escoumins station, 48°19.0′N 069°25.0′W.

What time zone is Quebec in?

Local time at Quebec 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 Quebec?

The deepest berth listed is at Valero - Jean Gaulin Refinery: 15.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Quebec?

1000.

Who carries out Port State Control at Quebec?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Quebec?

The UN/LOCODE of Quebec is CAQUE.

What crews who called at Quebec 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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