Canada// Guidance for vessels loading grain, concentrate and timber in Canadian ports

All vessels carrying Grain, Concentrate or Timber on deck in Canadian ports are subject to inspection by Transport Canada in accordance with the CFTR (Cargo, Fumigation and Tackle Regulation). This was initiated in 2001 to minimize the risk to the vessel, crew, cargo and environment in response to the frequent accidents that occurred in the 1990s involving vessels carrying these cargoes.

Below is an overview of the inspections and the recently issued guidelines.

1. Inspection Program

All vessels carrying grain or concentrate in bulk, or carrying timber on deck, are required to undergo inspections in accordance with the CFTR. Upon successful completion of the inspection, the following certificates will be issued, allowing the vessel to load and depart from the port.

Certificate of Readiness to Load (RTL)

Fitness to Proceed Certificate (FTP)

If the vessel does not pass the inspection due to any non-conformity, the inspector will issue a Statement indicating the area of non-conformity. If the inspector confirms that the nonconformity has been corrected, a certificate will be issued.

Note that from September 2024 to September 2025, Transport Canada is conducting a trial remote preloading inspection, and Master may be required to submit photos and videos in addition to the usual documentation. For more information, please refer to the following link.
https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-09/SSB-23-2024E_0.pdf

2. guideline
In September 2024, Transport Canada issued a Ship Safety Bulletin 'Guidance to Masters of Vessels Loading Grain or Concentrates in Bulk, or timber on deck cargoes'. This Guidance will assist ship Masters prepare for inspections and save as much time and effort as possible.
The guidelines are commonly organized as follows

1. Introduction

2. Risks associated with marine carriage of each cargoes

3. What to expect during an inspection

In particular, 3.5 Readiness to Load inspection process describes the items to be checked during the inspection before loading, and 3.9 Fitness to Proceed inspection process describes the items to be checked after loading. The common items to be checked for all three cargoes are that the load line marks are clearly readable and marked according to the ship’s Load Line Certificate, and that the necessary certificates are in place, and that the cargo was loaded in accordance with the applied stowage plan during the post-load inspection. 

4. Specific requirements

As mentioned above, failure to pass the inspection may result in delays, as the vessel may not be allowed to load or depart from the port. It is recommended that the vessel be prepared in advance in accordance with these guidelines.

Below is a specific items for each guideline.

2.1 Guidance to Masters of Vessels Loading Grain in Bulk

The Master of the vessel must properly complete a Canadian Grain Stability Calculation form.  RTL (although not directly related to the safety of the vessel) is only issued after passing an inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and proper Loading and leveling are required. Please note that a Ships loading bulk cargoes must not load or carry cargo in load configurations that are not specifically authorized in the approved loading manual, which must be used in conjunction with the approved loading instrument.

Please refer to the following links for the guidelines.
TP 15611E - Guidance to Masters of Vessels Loading Grain in Bulk (canada.ca)

2.2 Guidance to Masters of Vessels Loading: Concentrates in bulk

Concentrate is classified as Group A in the IMSBC Code and requires a certificate that the moisture content of the cargo is below the TML and proper trimming. Please note that a Ships loading bulk cargoes must not load or carry cargo in load configurations that are not specifically authorized in the approved loading manual, which must be used in conjunction with the approved loading instrument.
Please refer to the following links for the guidelines
TP 15613E – Guidance to masters of vessels: Loading timber on deck (canada.ca)

2.3 Guidance to masters of vessels: Loading timber on deck

The inspection includes metacenter height calculations, condition of wood lashings and lashing materials, and whether the height of wood loaded on deck is in accordance with the vessel's Cargo Securing Manual.

Please refer to the following links for guidelines

TP 15613E – Guidance to masters of vessels: Loading timber on deck (canada.ca)