Cargo Ships in Canada: Operations, Safety, and More

Canada's cargo shipping industry is a vital part of the country's economy, with a vast network of ports and shipping lanes connecting the country to the rest of the world.

The majority of cargo ships in Canada are registered in foreign countries, with the United States, China, and Japan being among the top registrants.

Canada's cargo shipping industry is heavily reliant on the St. Lawrence Seaway, a 3,700-kilometer waterway that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

Cargo ships in Canada must comply with strict safety regulations, including those set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Transport Canada.

The Cargoes and Ship-Port Interface division is responsible for developing and updating regulations and standards for cargo ships in Canada.

Transport Canada has developed several documents that provide policy guidance on compliance, including regulations related to cargo ships.

These documents are essential for ensuring that cargo ships in Canada meet the necessary safety and security standards.

The Canada Shipping Act, 2001 is a key piece of legislation that governs the operation of cargo ships in Canada.

The Safe Container Convention Act also plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe transportation of cargo by sea.

Here are some key regulatory documents to be aware of:

Cargo operations in Canada are heavily regulated to ensure the safety of vessels, crew, and cargo. Canadian law requires Transport Canada to oversee the safety of cargo gear, tackle, and lifting appliances used for loading and unloading vessels.

Transport Canada works closely with the industry to develop safety standards for using cargo gear, such as the TP 11232 Unitized Cargo Standard.

We carry out around 1,500 inspections per year to make sure that cargo like grain, mineral concentrates and timber on deck, are loaded safely, and in a way that meets Canadian and international requirements.

Vessels loading, carrying and/or unloading some higher risk cargoes are required to be inspected by a Marine Safety Inspector.

If your vessel is in Canadian waters and is loading a regulated cargo for export (like grain, concentrates, or timber on deck), you are required to request a marine cargo inspection.

Under the Port State Control (PSC) program, vessels can also be inspected to check whether their cargo complies with SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention chapter VI, VII and XII.

Cargo lifting equipment is a crucial part of cargo operations, and it's subject to strict safety regulations. Transport Canada oversees the safety of the tackle and lifting appliances used for loading and unloading vessels.

In Canada, the safety of cargo gear is taken very seriously, and industry standards have been developed to ensure safe use.

Transport Canada has worked with the industry to develop safety standards for using cargo gear, such as TP 11232 - Unitized Cargo Standard.

Canada's marine shipping industry plays a crucial role in the country's economy, with international trade totalling $205 billion in 2015.

The majority of this trade, $112 billion, was imports, highlighting the importance of marine shipping in bringing goods into the country.

Exporting is also a significant part of Canada's marine trade, with $93 billion worth of goods being shipped out in 2015.

If you're a small independent retailer or a global manufacturer, marine shipping is often the only way to get your product to international markets outside of North America.

This is especially true for the top marine export commodities, which in 2006-2015 included items like machinery, vehicles, and plastics.

Transport Desgagnés is a company that equips and operates cargo vessels and tankers.

Their expertise lies in transporting petroleum and chemical products, which requires a high level of care to protect both people and the environment.

Desgagnés takes safety and environmental protection very seriously, as evident from their policies and research and development activities.

They invest heavily in technology to ensure the safe transportation of goods and to minimize their ecological footprint.

Desgagnés Transarctik has been a trusted name in Canadian Arctic cargo operations for over 50 years. They've built a reputation for reliability and expertise, supplying essential goods to remote communities like Nunavik and Nunavut.

Their success can be attributed to the dedication of their human resources department. With a team that's passionate about what they do, Desgagnés Transarctik is able to provide top-notch resupply services to northern communities.

Desgagnés Transarctik also ships goods for specific projects and mining operations in the Canadian Far North.

Desgagnés Transarctik has been operating in the Canadian Arctic for over 50 years, supplying remote communities and shipping goods for specific projects and mining projects.

Desgagnés Transarctik is committed to safety and environmental protection, evident in its policies and research and development activities.

Desgagnés is recognized for its expertise in transporting petroleum and chemical products while protecting people and goods, as well as the environment.

Marine shipping plays a crucial role in Canada's prosperity, facilitating the export of goods to international markets.

Desgagnés is part of the marine shipping industry that relies on marine shipping to reach markets outside of North America.

Desgagnés Transarctik provides outstanding resupply services to northern communities, collaborating with its business partners to achieve this goal.

Desgagnés has a human resources department with expertise that helps the company provide excellent services to its clients.

The company invests heavily in technology to ensure safe and environmentally friendly operations.

Desgagnés has specialized response teams in place to handle emergencies and protect the environment.

The company's commitment to safety and environmental protection is reflected in its training programs for shipboard and administrative staff.

Desgagnés' expertise in transporting petroleum and chemical products is unmatched in the industry.

Canada has a long coastline and a vast network of waterways, making it an ideal location for cargo shipping.

The country's busiest ports are located in Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax, with Vancouver being the largest.

Canada's cargo ships typically carry a mix of goods, including grains, forest products, and energy resources.

The majority of cargo ships in Canada are registered in the country, with many operating from the Port of Vancouver.

Canada's economy relies heavily on marine shipping, with international trade being a significant contributor to the country's GDP. In 2015, Canada's international marine trade totalled $205 billion.

The majority of this trade is comprised of imports and exports, with $93 billion worth of goods being exported and $112 billion worth being imported. This highlights the importance of marine shipping in facilitating Canada's trade with other countries.

Canada's reliance on marine shipping is evident in the fact that it would be a very different place economically without it.

In Canada, marine cargo inspections are a crucial aspect of ensuring the safe transportation of goods. We conduct around 1,500 inspections per year to verify that cargo like grain, mineral concentrates, and timber on deck are loaded correctly.

Vessels loading regulated cargo for export, such as grain or timber, must request a marine cargo inspection before departing Canadian waters. This is a requirement under the Port State Control program.

Marine Safety inspectors also examine and verify stowage and securing of cargo on board vessels to ensure compliance with regulations. This includes checking the securing of cargo on vessels carrying or unloading dangerous goods.

Canadian law requires vessels loading, carrying, and/or unloading higher risk cargoes to be inspected by a Marine Safety Inspector. This is a critical step in preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of the crew, cargo, and the environment.

Transport Canada oversees the safety of tackle and lifting appliances used for loading and unloading vessels and handling materials on board.