Thunder Bay

Size limits

LOA 226.12m, beam 23.78m, draught 7.3m, 39,069DWT.

Water density

1000.

Tides

Nil.

The port area is over 45km long and stretches inland. River currents vary.

At the Suncor Terminal, Mission River current speeds range from 1kt to 3kts, roughly parallel to the dock.

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

Approach

The area is known for magnetic anomalies.

The N side of the harbour lies behind a large breakwater, approx 12.88km in length and has three entrances. The S side of the harbour is reached through two entrances. Red and Green markers with lights appear at all these entrances. When using the Paper Mill berth, outside the main harbour area, a recommended track of 335.5° should be taken approx 2nm from the shore, using the red pile beacon located at the head of the Paper Mill dock area.

Anchorages

Vessels should anchor at least 1km E of the breakwaters, well away from the harbour's 5 entrances.

Tugs

There are five tugs available, the most powerful being 1,600hp.

Mooring

Mooring lines: Uniform thickness throughout, fitted with an eye not less than 2.4m in length and of sufficient strength to check the vessel.

Anchors: Vessels over 110m must have an operational stern anchor. Orange anchor marking buoys of an approved type, fitted with 22m of suitable line, must be secured to all anchors.

Suncor: A copy of the Company's "Thunder Bay Terminal, Information for Vessels" can be obtained from Suncor. Mooring bollards, other than those on the main dock, require long leads and handling across open water and the shoreline. Masters should be appropriately prepared. Synthetic breast and head lines are preferred instead of wire cables. All vessel mooring wires must be fitted with synthetic mooring tails that meet current OCIMF guidelines (ie max 11.0m in length with a min breaking strength of 125% of the breaking strength of the wire to which they are attached and be connected to the wire with mandal or tonsberg type shackles). Little traffic passes the berth but, when it does, a good watch should be kept. There is adequate water depth in the Mission River for vessels bound for Suncor Terminal. An adequate number of shore linesmen will be provided to take vessel lines and perform dock mooring duties. Vessel crews are not to be used to perform dock mooring duties. A minimum of four linesmen should be used for berthing and two for unberthing. Cargo transfer will stop and arms disconnected in winds exceeding 30kts; additional precautionary measures taken in winds exceeding 40kts.

Charts and publications

Can 2314. BA4794. NP286(5). US 14968.

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.

Dry docks

Drydock is available by prior arrangement.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available. Vessel hose required at Suncor Terminal.

Bunkering: Available. Road tankers: Gas oil max 25t. Vessel needs to go to lay-by berth for bunkering at an increased cost.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Bay & Algoma Health Centre (2km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Thunder Bay International Airport (13km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours. Shift premiums apply.

Where it is

The port of Thunder Bay is situated on Lake Superior at Canadian head of the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway System, 3,200km inland from the Atlantic Ocean.

The port

The Thunder Bay port area extends along 56km of shoreline, its various port facilities interspersed with other private businesses and agricultural ventures not using water-based transport. There are facilities for handling all types of cargo, including grain, coal, potash, forest products, general cargoes, heavy lifts, bagged grains, project cargoes and liquid bulk. Grain and agri-products form the major part of cargo handled. Major grain companies operate eight grain elevators. In better times, the port has had 36 operational elevators. More recently, with increasing demand and production, a number of 'mothballed' grain elevators and berths are being considered for re-opening.

Traffic

Approx 8,500,000t of cargo and 400 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Thunder Bay?

Compulsory for ocean-going vessels.

What time zone is Thunder Bay in?

Local time at Thunder Bay 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 Thunder Bay?

The deepest berth listed is at Thunder Bay Cruise Vessel Terminal (Pool 6): 8.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Thunder Bay?

1000.

Who carries out Port State Control at Thunder Bay?

Port State Control at Thunder Bay: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Thunder Bay?

The UN/LOCODE of Thunder Bay is CATHU.

What crews who called at Thunder Bay 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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