*1001/25Pilot Project – Guidelines for the Transit of Container Vessels up to 310 metres in Length x 40 metres in Beam – Québec–Montréal Segment

NOTICE

This notice sets out the conditions under which container ships, with a maximum length of 310 metres and a beam of up to 40 metres, may safely transit the St. Lawrence waterway between Québec and Montréal.
Effective Date: September 30, 2025
Duration: This pilot project remains in effect until further notice or until permanent guidelines are established.

Scope of the Pilot Project

This pilot project applies to container vessels with following dimensions:

Length Overall: Between 300.01 metres and not exceeding 310.0 metres; and,

Moulded Breadth: Equal to or greater than 32.5 metres, not exceeding 40.0 metres.

Application of Notice to Mariners 27A

Notice to Mariners 27A remains applicable, except for the following sections, which are amended or replaced by the directives specified in this pilot project:

Section 2: Meetings in Risk Areas (R)

Section 3: Overtaking in Risk Areas (D)

Section 6: Maneuverability Assessment

Note: Any changes in the status of the vessel (e.g. hull, navigational equipment, propulsion, etc.) must be reported immediately to the Escoumins Marine Communication and Traffic Services Centre (MCTS Escoumins) prior to entering pilotage area.

Should a deficiency occur, it will be analyzed and reviewed by Canadian Coast Guard, Pilotage Authority and Transport Canada to determine steps to resolve the issue. A reauthorization will be required to proceed into pilotage areas as a vessel participating in a pilot project.

Specific Guidelines – Container Ships up to 310 m x 40 m

1. Meetings and Overtaking

All meetings and overtaking are permitted in accordance with Notice 27A for all vessels, except for Wide Beam and Long vessels.

For these vessels, the authorized zones for meeting and overtaking with vessel up to 310 m x 40m will be determined by the expert committee and communicated to MCTS within 48-hours prior to the transit, based on scheduled traffic of other Wide Beam and Long vessels.

2. Transit Safety Conditions and Measures

2.1 Transits will mostly occur during daylight between Québec and Montréal, depending on weather, traffic, and other navigational risk factors.

2.1.1 During hours of darkness, in favourable conditions, passage is allowed for upbound container vessels until Grondines.
2.1.2 The “Good Manoeuvrability” (BM) classification, as defined in Sections 6 and 7 of Notice 27A, cannot be assigned to the vessels covered by this pilot project.

2.2 Minimum engine speed is required when approaching the Québec bridges and the Laviolette Bridge, provided environmental conditions allow.

2.3 Maximum speed over ground between Île-aux-Vaches and Contrecoeur is 9 knots upbound and 11 knots downbound.
2.4 During pilot changeovers at Trois-Rivières, the handover of conduct shall take place, upstream or downstream after the vessel has cleared the Laviolette Bridge, weather conditions permitting.
2.5 At least 30 minutes before passing under the Québec bridges and the Laviolette Bridge, qualified crew members must be stationed:

•In the steering gear room, ready to activate emergency steering systems; and,

•On the forecastle, ready to drop anchors.

Each station must be equipped with independent communication means with the bridge.
2.6 An operational tug with a minimum bollard pull of 40 tonnes must be assigned and available during the vessel’s transit under the Laviolette Bridge. The tug must:

•Be within a 15-nautical-mile radius of the Laviolette Bridge;

•Ready to respond within one hour’s notice

Passage Management Framework

1. Coordination and Follow-up Procedures
Any shipowner or agent planning a transit under this pilot project must notify the Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA) at transit@apl.gc.ca as soon as possible, and at least 10 days in advance.
2. Expert Committee
The expert committee responsible for monitoring this pilot project consists of representatives from:

•Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)

•Corporation of Central St. Lawrence Pilots (CPSLC)
•Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA)
•Montreal Port Authority (MPA)

•Transport Canada (TC)

Roles and Responsibilities:

•Pre-transit assessment: Hold a meeting before each transit to analyze environmental, operational, and safety conditions.
•Transit Planning: Coordinate vessel arrival and ensure measures are implemented.
•Transit monitoring: Oversee and study each transit

•Decision-making: Authorize or postpone passage based on observed conditions and evaluated risks.

3. Operational Flexibility

The expert committee may:

•Ease, reinforce, or modify safety measures based on weather, tides, or other risk factors.

•Place representatives on board for study and verification purposes within the pilot project.

Safety and Responsibility Clause

In applying these guidelines, it is understood that the pilot and bridge team must take into account all navigational hazards, collision risks, and special circumstances, as well as vessel limitations, which may require deviation from these measures to avoid immediate danger.
In such cases of deviation, or in any incident or situation, the pilot must inform the nearest MCTS officer.
The pilot conducting the vessel is responsible to the master for the safety navigation of the vessel.
(Section 38.01(3) of the Pilotage Act)

Pilot Project Progress

As part of this pilot project, safety measures will be continuously monitored and may be progressively adjusted by the expert committee based on:

•Operational experience acquired during transits under varied conditions;
•Results of complementary technical studies;
•Assessment of the potential impact on traffic fluidity; and,

•Recommendations made by the expert committee.

Any adjustment must be submitted to the Standing Committee on Navigational Safety (SCNS) for review and, if required, communicated through additional notices.

Reporting and Data Collection

After each voyage, pilots must submit to the expert committee a detailed report on vessel maneuverability and on meetings that occurred during the passage. MCTS will also submit a transit report.
The Laurentian Pilotage Authority will maintain a consolidated database of all transit and maneuverability reports related to this pilot project.

Contact Information

Laurentian Pilotage Authority

Phone: 514-657-2041 option 2
Email: transit@apl.gc.ca