PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Stewart
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory. Arranged through Victoria. Due to the time and distance from Triple Island Pilot Boarding Station two pilots must be used.
Key data
updated May 2023Size limits
Max LOA 224m, beam 32.3m, draught 12.6m, 65,000DWT.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Mean spring range 6.7m; mean neap range 5.3m.
Tidal streams do not exceed 3kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stewart Bulk Terminal | 12.60 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Stewart World Port Terminal | 12.40 m | 224 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2023Port limits
All the waters of the Portland Canal within the jurisdiction of Canada N of a line drawn from Glacier Point (55°49.08'N 130°06.38'W) on a bearing 172° to Engineers Point on the opposite shore.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Assigned frequency 156.7MHz, Ch 17.
Anchorages
Good anchorage holding ground is located off Stewart in depths of 46-55m, soft mud bottom, for vessels loading logs. However, this is exposed to N and S winds, which are frequently drawn through the canal.
Caution: There are drying flats, which are steep to and remain covered except at the very lowest stages of the tide, lying to the N and W of the anchorage.
Restrictions
Caution: It has been reported that there is extensive silting at the mouths of the Bear River and the Salmon River. Ice forms at the head of Portland Canal in the vicinity of Stewart from November to February. This does not stop shipping, yet it can be a problem for small vessels. The waters lying in the vicinity of Stewart are a designated aerodrome
Note: Throughout the year, discoloured water from the Bear River and the Salmon River extends to Glacier Point.
Tugs
Ordered from Prince Rupert.
Mooring
Mooring pads and ties are lined along the Stewart World Port Wharf and a mooring buoy is located just off the S end of the Wharf.
Charts and publications
BA 3794. Admiralty Pilot NP26.
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Initial ETA to be sent on departure from last port to the consigned agent. Further ETA's, dependent on Charter Party, are normally sent 14, 10, 7 and 5 days prior to arrival. The ETA message should include the date and time of arrival, name of Master, last 3 ports of call, number of crew and breakdown of nationalities. Canadian Coast Guard require pre arrival report sent at least 96 hours prior to arrival if vessel arriving from foreign port. See Country section for further details.
Communications
San Francisco ("KPH" and "KFS") and Vancouver Coast Guard ("VAI") coast radio stations can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. The stations can transmit/receive traffic on all HF frequencies and 500kHz, depending on distance from station.
Inmarsat can also be used.
Notice of readiness
The custom of the port is to tender NOR on arrival at a safe anchorage or first line at berth. If an outer anchorage is used Master may tender NOR by cable or telex.
Documents
The documents are handed to the agent on arrival. He will leave onboard 2 copies each of items (2) and (3) above. Thereafter, Customs may perform spot checks on the vessel and will demand these documents.
The vessel's agent usually arranges for forms to be delivered onboard, by the pilot, for the Master to complete for arrival alongside.
Health
It is not necessary to apply for pratique unless there is an infection or dead person onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.
If there is any sickness onboard the vessel will be quarantined.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Customs service is provided from Prince Rupert.
Customs allowances: Officers and crew are allowed 1 bottle of spirits or 24 cans of beer and 200 cigarettes. Any excesses are confiscated or duties must be paid.
Passengers onboard are subject to search of their personal effects if they intend to land.
Immigration: Any supernumeraries must be reported (with or without visa).
Immigration officers only conduct spot checks on vessels. Otherwise agent processes immigration Crew List.
Passengers onboard are subject to document checks if they intend to land.
Flags
Interco flag "Q" must be flown if there is sickness onboard.
Notices and regulations
Canadian Coast Guard may attend a vessel for port state control inspection. Furthermore, if a vessel is more than 10 years old and loading coal or bulk concentrates then they could attend for the bulk carrier inspection programme for structural deficiencies of cargo bulkheads and inspection of wing tanks.
Discharge of dirty ballast is strictly forbidden. Owners must apply for an oil spill response agreement prior to vessels arrival, through the agent.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated May 2023Bunkers, water and stores
Bunkering: LNG available at Stewart World Port Terminal.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Stewart Health Centre (2.3km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Stewart Airport (1.5km) and Stewart Water Aerodrome (CAC9) which is located within the port.
Nearest Highway: The port has direct access to Highway 37 and 37A. It is understood that Highway 37A is extremely vulnerable to avalanches due to its remote location.
Working hours
Continuous 24 hour ship loading is provided.
About Stewart
updated May 2023Where it is
Stewart is British Columbia's most N'ly deep water port, located close to the Alaska state boundary, at the head of the Portland Canal.
The port
Stewart is Canada's most N'ly ice free port and is ideally located at the head of the Portland Canal and within one of the most mineral rich areas of North America. The port handles cargo including breakbulk (cement, coal and mineral ore), project cargo, forest products and general cargo to customers in Northern BC and around the world. The location of the port allows the two terminals (Stewart Bulk Terminal and Stewart World Port Terminal) direct access via roadway to British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Yukon.
The port also boasts services that allow a full day advantage to Asian markets over southern ports, lower terminal handling costs and continuous 24 hour ship loading. The area within the port has a favourable climate, low winds and the lowest salinity of any deep water log loading facility in BC.
Questions about Stewart
What are the pilot arrangements at Stewart?
Compulsory. Arranged through Victoria.
What time zone is Stewart in?
Local time at Stewart is UTC−7. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Stewart?
The deepest berth listed is at Stewart Bulk Terminal: 12.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Stewart?
1000.
Which load line zone is Stewart in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Stewart?
Port State Control at Stewart: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Stewart?
The UN/LOCODE of Stewart is CASTW.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Stewart 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.