Sorel

Size limits

LOA 250m, beam 44m, draught 11.0m, 116,779DWT

Water density

1000.

Tides

Water level above chart datum varies from approx 2.1m in April, to 0.6m in September. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, based on upstream water level controls. The average current within the port is between 1kt and 1.5kts.

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

Approach

The dredged channel, depth 11.3m and least width of 244m, through the port is well marked by lightbuoys and leading lights. Depths may vary over time and vessels are advised to check local conditions before entry. Some depths in the port may be shallower than charted.

A maximum speed limit of 10kts up bound and 14kts down bound is enforced for all vessels in the port area, creating a wake effect of an average speed over the ground of 12kts where the speed of the current is 2kts. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Collision Regulations, every power driven vessel entering or leaving Riviere Richelieu at Sorel shall keep to the E side of the Richelieu channel.

Port limits

The harbour is bounded on the E by a line drawn from Ilets des Joncs, (46°07'N 072°57'W), in a 318° direction. The W harbour limit, which is also the port of Montreal downstream limit, crosses St Lawrence River at approx 46°01'N 073°10'W. In Riviere Richelieu the S limit of the harbour is 5.2nm above the river mouth.

Anchorages

There is safe anchorage in the river off Sorel, approx 0.5nm NE of Sorel Dock No 2 Light. Anchorage is also available upstream of the city.

There is a prohibited anchorage area adjacent to the wharves at Sorel, S of the ship channel.

Restrictions

During the period from Dec to Mar, inclusive, it is recommended that vessels navigating to Sorel be ice strengthened.

Bridges: The following bridges span Riviere Richelieu within the limits of the port of Sorel:

Pont Turcotte: A road bridge with a lift span (vertical clearance 16m when closed) approx 0.5nm above the river mouth. The bridge will be opened on request.

Canadian National Railways swing bridge: Situated 0.2nm upstream of Pont Turcotte. A submerged pipeline is situated close N of the bridge.

Pont Sorel-Tracy: A road bridge (vertical clearance 19m), situated 0.8nm above the railway swing bridge. Vessels proceeding upstream use the W channel, vessels proceeding downstream use the E channel.

Vessels intending to pass through Pont Turcotte are requested to sound 3 long blasts on the whistle or siren on approaching the bridge.

Overhead cables: Power transmission lines span the St Lawrence River and Riviere Richelieu as follows:

St Lawrence River: There are 2 situated 0.6nm W of the mouth of Riviere Richelieu, supported by towers 126m in elevation, marked by red lights. The cables have a min vertical clearance of 52m.

Riviere Richelieu: Close N of the railway bridge the vertical clearance is 40m.

Submarine cables: Cross St Lawrence River from a position close W of the wharf at Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola, (46°04'N 073°08'W), to the opposite shore, mariners are cautioned not to anchor in this vicinity.

Tugs

Available. Vessels of less than 38,000DWT may use the wharf at Tracey without the assistance of a tug. Vessels between 38,000DWT and 75,000DWT must use a tug. Approach speed must not exceed 0.215kts.

Charts and publications

BA 4790, 4791; Can 14211 (14209, 14221). Admiralty Pilot NP65, NP286(5). US Coast Pilot 145.

Communications

Messages can 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 authorities will accept IMO forms.

The forms are for Revenue Canada, Customs and Excise. The vessels 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.

Flags

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

Notices and regulations

Sorel Port: Full details as to Practices and Procedures for using the port area of Sorel can be found on the Transport Canada website www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/ports-practproc-195.htm.

Although Transport Canada no longer own the port, they oversee the administration of the port by the City of Sorel-Tracy. They still set and monitor port and marine facility service standards, collect public port fees and co-ordinate public notices and consultations.

Kildair Terminal: A summary of the "Captains Guide" for this terminal, containing maps, dock facilities, applicable Regulations and relevant tables can be obtained from Kildair Service ULC (Tel: +1 450 7460999, Fax: +1 450 7460994).

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 are available. Omnimar provides berthing facilities for hull and engine repairs.

Dry docks

Marine Industries Ltee have repair facilities for drydocking vessels up to 12,000DWT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by tanker or tank truck.

Provisions: Available by agent or ship's chandler.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital General De Sorel (0.6km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Aeroport De Sorel (10km).

Nearest bus station: Terminus de Sorel (3km).

Nearest ferry service: Gare fluviale de Sorel-Tracy (0.2km).

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs, overtime as required.

Where it is

The port of Sorel is located on the S shore of the St Lawrence River at the mouth of the Richelieu River, approx 75km downstream from Montreal.

The port

The port is open throughout the year, but occasionally the assistance of ice breakers may be required. Within the main port area there are grain elevators, metal works, textile and chemical plants. The port handles coal, grain, breakbulk goods, iron ore and steel products.

The port of Sorel is owned and operated by the City of Sorel-Tracy, with Transport Canada overseeing administration of the port.

Traffic

Approx 6,400,000t of cargo is handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Sorel?

Compulsory, pilots board inbound vessels at Escoumins.

What time zone is Sorel in?

Local time at Sorel 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 Sorel?

The deepest berth listed is at Kildair: 10.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Sorel?

1000.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sorel?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sorel?

The UN/LOCODE of Sorel is CASOR.

What crews who called at Sorel 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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