Toronto

Size limits

LOA 225.55m, beam 23.78m, 39,064DWT.

Water density

1000.

Tides

HW: 1.4m

LW: 0.3m

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

Approach

There are two channel entrances, the E Gap and the W Gap, each with a depth of 8.22m. The E Gap is the main channel entrance as vessels can cut their journey time by up to 9.6km. Vessels using either channel must not exceed 6kts.

Port limits

The port limits extend from the Humber River in the W to 3km E of Ashbridges Bay in the E, extending 1.6km S of Gibralta Point.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is no VTS in operation, vessel movements are co-ordinated through the Harbour Master, VHF Ch 12.

Anchorages

There are anchorages available in the inner harbour, depth 7.3m and Humber Bay, depth 11-23m.

Restrictions

The navigation season is governed by the opening and closing of the St Lawrence Seaway. The average season for Lake vessels is the end of Mar to the end of Dec. The average season for overseas vessels is the first week of Apr to mid Dec.

Height Restrictions for Bridges: Keating Channel Bridge and Ship Channel Bridge are both lift bridges with no height restriction. Ship Channel Bridge can open throughout 24 hours, (4 hours notice is required, Tel: +1 416 808 5800 or VHF Ch 12 and 16). 34. Vessels in excess of 18m overall height, truck to waterline, are required to notify Toronto City Centre Airport, Control Tower (VHF Ch 12) prior to transiting the Western Gap.

Request for bridge lifts: Must be made, other than in an emergency, through the Authority at least 2 hours before the lift is required for times when bridges are manned. In addition to required whistle signals, the bridge operator may be contacted directly on VHF Ch 12 while on site. Vessels are prohibited from proceeding stern first through bridge openings.

Tugs

Tugs are available but not normally considered necessary.

Mooring

Port Movements: If changing berth or wishing to move, vessels should request the Authority for clearance by VHF Ch 12 prior to the move, and notify the Authority upon completion of the manoeuvre, maintaining a VHF watch throughout the procedure.

Berthing will be allocated to the assigned terminal on a first arrival basis. However, where a berth has been allocated to a vessel and labour for her working has been ordered in accordance with the labour agreement, the Authority reserves the right to maintain such allocation.

Whenever a berth is not available at the required location, the Authority will endeavour to provide alternative berthing, but where such alternative berth is accepted, the Authority shall not be responsible for any costs which may incurred.

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.

Vessels are not permitted to moor alongside any dock wall, slip or to any mooring buoy without the prior permission of the Port Authority.

Charts and publications

BA 4403, 4794, Can 2077 (and 2070 Harbours in Lake Ontario). US 14800, 14810. Admiralty Pilot NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent a min of 3 days prior to arrival at Montreal. Additional ETA's should be sent on passing Montreal.

Vessels should contact the Port Authority via VHF Ch12 with adequate ETA's, general vessel information, obtain clearance prior to entering the port, and maintain constant VHF watch throughout manoeuvring activities within the port area.

Communications

Prescott Coast Guard Radio can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. (Website http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/Marine-Communications/RAMN-2015/Part-2-Atlantic-Facilities-Information). Inmarsat can be used for communication.

Standard messages

Berthing instructions are passed to a vessel by the agent in Montreal. The message advises berth location, docking side, anticipated cargo, berth availability, anticipated time alongside, any navigational problems anticipated and local conditions.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered as per Charter Party on arrival.

For departure, a vessel shall request the Authority for clearance on VHF Ch12 prior to departing the berth or anchorage, maintaining constant VHF watch throughout manoeuvring activities within the port area, and notify once clear of port limits.

Documents

Vessels wishing to berth at the port shall, as far in advance of the date of docking as possible, make application to the Authority for such berth, specifying the date and estimated time of arrival, departure, and the nature and quantity of cargo, if any, to be handled. Such requests may, at the discretion of the Authority, be required in writing.

Forms are delivered onboard by the agent as the vessel passes Montreal.

Cargo documentation: Three copies of the Vessel Manifest are required. The Import/Export Dock Manifest is provided.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: One carton of cigarettes and 1 bottle of liquor per crew member, per port, is allowed from the bonded store. Penalties for non compliance are seizure of the goods and fines.

Immigration authorities are notified by Customs only when crew changes are to take place or there are stowaways onboard or deserters. No one is allowed ashore until the ship is cleared.

Flags

Canadian flag to be displayed as a courtesy.

Notices and regulations

Collision Regulations: All vessels must comply with "International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, (1972), with Canadian Modifications".

Speed Restrictions: Unless otherwise authorised by the authority, vessels should not exceed a speed limit of 5kn within 150m of any shoreline or breakwater and should not exceed 10kn elsewhere within the Inner and Outer Harbours. Vessels should not produce a wake within the Toronto Island Lagoons or navigable waters between the shoreline and Western Breakwater.

Berth 357: The Port Authority will give priority of berthing to any vessel which has made proper application for Berth 357, for the sole and specific purpose of using the services of the Authority's 300-ton heavy lift crane. Any vessel requesting or accepting Berth 357, for any purpose other than working with the crane shall, at the risk and expense of that vessel and on receipt of written notice from the Authority, vacate the berth to make way for a vessel solely and specifically requiring the services of the 300t crane. Such notice shall be given to the vessel or her agent at least 24 hours in advance of the time that Berth 357 is to be vacated. Vessels should not continue their stay at Berth 357, following completion of work with the heavy lift.

Noise: No owner, operator, charterer or master of any vessel shall make, cause or permit to be made or caused, undue noise in excess of 85 decibels when measured 15 metres from source of noise.

Deleterious Matter: No deleterious matter (including ballast water obtained outside the Great Lakes system) shall be dumped, or caused to be dumped, thrown, or discharged, alone, or in combination with any other substance into the waters of the Port and Harbour.

Air Pollution: No vessel shall emit exhaust fumes or smoke other than that required strictly for immediate engine startup.

Insurance: All vessels utilizing port amenities must carry adequate Protection & Indemnity (P & I) insurance, or other suitable wreck removal insurance, proof of which available on request of the Authority.

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

There are several companies equipped for electrical, welding, machinery and casting repairs available.

Dry docks

The nearest drydock facilities are located at Port Weller, across the lake.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available via tanker dispatched from Hamilton.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Toronto General Hospital (2.5km).

Crew change

Crew change is arranged via the immigration authorities.

Transport

Nearest airport: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (3km).

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1200hrs and 1300-1700hrs. Overtime available.

Where it is

Toronto is located on the NW shore of Lake Ontario, 41km from Port Weller at the entrance to the Welland Canal and is the largest city in Canada.

The port

The port of Toronto is a major port within the Great Lakes system with approx one third of Canada's total market within a 160km radius.

Sheltered by a string of offshore islands Toronto Harbour is 3.2km in length and 0.4km wide with two channels of entry navigable by ships of Seaway depth (see "St Lawrence Seaway" entry).

The port handles containers, bulk cargo, brealkbulk, liquid products. Product including salt, sugar, cement, aggregate and steel (steel coils, rebar, plates). The port also handles cruise ships.

Commercial marine facilities in the Harbour area have been shrinking for many years due to redevelopment and industrial relocation.

Traffic

Approx of 2,000,000t of cargo and 190 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Toronto?

Compulsory.

What time zone is Toronto in?

Local time at Toronto is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the water density at Toronto?

1000.

Who carries out Port State Control at Toronto?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Toronto?

The UN/LOCODE of Toronto is CATOR.

What crews who called at Toronto 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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