Fee proposal for Vessel Registry Program

From: Transport Canada

Transport Canada is proposing changes to its Vessel Registry program. This document describes the context, policy rationale and analyses that informed the proposed changes.

Executive summary

Transport Canada’s Vessel Registry is Canada’s national ship registry. It contains information on all vessels registered in Canada, as well as on foreign vessels that are temporarily listed in Canada.

As of January 1, 2021, there are over 71,000 registered vessels^{Footnote 1} in Canada. All Canadian commercial and government-owned vessels must be registered, unless they are exempted. Pleasure craft may also be registered for reasons like making international travel easier. Generally, registration establishes title to a vessel, provides approval of the vessel name, specifies a port of registry, provides security for a mortgage and grants the right to fly the Canadian flag on the vessel.

Vessel registration supports Transport Canada’s marine safety programs and activities, such as inspecting vessels, certifying crew, and issuing safety documents. Registering vessels also helps Transport Canada identify a vessel’s owner (especially in cases of an emergency) or when vessels are wrecked, abandoned or hazardous and need to be remediated. Currently, however, many vessel registrations contain out-of-date information. This makes it challenging to fulfill the above objectives.

Currently, Vessel Registry fees represent approximately 30% of Transport Canada’s costs of providing Vessel Registry services. This means that about 70% of Vessel Registry service delivery costs are funded by taxpayers.

Transport Canada is modernizing its Vessel Registry services and fees. In particular, TC is proposing to:

Charge fees for some services that are currently provided for free
increase fees for some services
in some cases, lower or remove fees
require clients to pay a fee to renew their large vessel registrations, and to provide updated owner and vessel information, every five years (instead of Transport Canada automatically renewing registrations for free every three years)

These changes would help Transport Canada recover more costs and help keep the registers up-to-date, which would assist in identifying vessel owners.

The proposed fees took into consideration:

how much it costs Transport Canada to provide Vessel Registry services
how the services benefit clients
what other countries charge for same or similar services, and
the economic context of vessel owners in Canada

As part of this proposal, the Vessel Registry Fees Tariff would be repealed and the proposed fees would be added to the Marine Safety Fees Regulations. This is a new regulation that will encompass most marine safety fees, allowing Transport Canada’s clients to refer to a single regulation for fees relevant to them.

These proposed changes would have those who benefit directly from services (i.e. vessel owners) pay a greater share of the costs. TC is proposing that modernized Vessel Registry fees come into force in the winter of 2023. This initiative is part of Transport Canada's broader plan to modernize its transportation laws, regulations, services and fees.

1.0 Purpose

Transport Canada (TC) is proposing to modernize its Vessel Registry services and fees. This fee proposal describes the proposed changes, as well as the context, rationale, and analyses that were considered in developing the proposal.

In particular, TC proposes to:

charge fees for some services that are currently provided for free
increase existing fees for some services
in some cases, lower or remove fees
require clients to pay a fee to renew their large vessel registrations, and to provide updated owner and vessel information, every five years (instead of TC automatically renewing registrations for free every three years)

Together, these proposed changes would ensure that TC’s fees more accurately reflect the cost to TC of providing the services and aim to have those who benefit directly from services pay a greater share of the costs. Moreover, they will enable TC to improve the accuracy of owner and vessel information in the registers, and create more consistency between the Large and Small Vessel Registers.

This fee proposal is being used as a tool for engagement with Vessel Registry clients and the general public. Comments on this fee proposal can be submitted to TC’s Let’s Talk Transportation webpage.

TC will consider feedback received on this fee proposal, and will consult again with Canadians when it pre-publishes the proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, expected in 2022. TC is aiming to have modernized fees come into force in the winter of 2023.

2.0 Context

As of January 1, 2021, there are over 71,000 registered vessels in Canada. Vessels can be registered in either the Large Vessel Register or the Small Vessel Register, depending on their size (measured in gross tonnage) and other factors. The Vessel Registry Fees Tariff came into force in 2002^{Footnote 2}. Currently, TC’s fees for Vessel Registry services represent 30% of the total cost of providing these services. Taxpayers are funding the remaining 70%.

Vessel registration supports Transport Canada’s marine safety programs and activities, such as inspecting vessels, certifying crew, and issuing safety documents. Vessel Registry also supports enforcement of the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act (WAHVA), which aims to protect coastal and shoreline communities, the environment and infrastructure. WAHVA establishes a compliance and enforcement regime for wrecked, abandoned and hazardous vessels, and strengthens vessel owner responsibility and accountability. Vessel Registry data also supports the work of first responder and law enforcement organizations.

Unfortunately, many vessel registrations contain out-of-date information which makes it challenging for officials to identify a vessel’s current owner (especially in cases of an emergency), or to take action when necessary. This is due in large part to the fact that for the Large Vessel Register, TC currently does not require clients to proactively request renewal of their registrations or to provide updated information. Instead, TC automatically renews registrations, for free, by sending clients new certificates based on the owner and vessel information on file, and many of those renewals are returned because owner information is out-of-date. Law enforcement agencies have also informed TC that enhancements to the registration system are needed to improve the quality and accuracy of vessel owner information.

Vessel Registry should not be confused with TC’s programs for pleasure craft licensing and pleasure craft operator competency, both of which are also undergoing fee modernization. For details on these programs, please see TC’s Marine Transportation website. To help delineate these programs, below is a high level summary:

Vessel registration provides title to a vessel (i.e., legal proof of ownership). It is required for commercial and government-owned vessels over a certain size, and for vessels that have marine mortgages. Also, a pleasure craft owner can choose to register their vessel for reasons such as having an approved vessel name or making international travel easier.
A pleasure craft licence is a licence issued by TC that includes a unique number that must be displayed on the boat’s bow. The number identifies the vessel and the licence holder. A pleasure craft licence does not provide title to the vessel. Pleasure craft licenses are required for certain types of vessels under the Small Vessel Regulations unless the vessels are registered.
Pleasure craft operator cards offer proof of competency, meaning the card holder understands boating rules and how to safely operate a boat. Anyone operating a pleasure craft is required to have proof of competency. Pleasure craft operator cards are the most common proof of competency and must be carried on board the vessel.

Registration in either the Large or Small Vessel Registry is also distinct from fishing vessel requirements administered by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). Vessels used for commercial fishing must obtain a Vessel Registration Number from DFO in addition to being registered with TC.

This proposal to modernize Vessel Registry fees is a part of a broader service, fee and regulatory modernization initiative underway at TC. In addition to modernizing fees, TC is working on modernizing Vessel Registry services by creating a digital e-registry platform which would allow clients to submit registration requests and documentation online, and track the status of their requests. This platform is expected to simplify the registration process for TC clients. TC is targeting the spring of 2022 for this platform’s implementation.

3.0 Overview of Vessel Registry

The Vessel Registry program administers the registration of vessels in Canada, including registering new vessels, updating owner and vessel information, registering and discharging marine mortgages, transferring ownership of vessels, issuing transcripts and conducting historical research on vessels, and listing bareboat chartered vessels. Vessel Registry also helps Canada fulfill its obligations as a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which states that every member sets the conditions for granting nationality to vessels, for registering vessels in its territory, and for the right of these vessels to fly its flag.

Canadian commercial and government-owned vessels powered by an engine of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more must be registered. As previously mentioned, pleasure craft may also be registered if the owner wishes to do so. The Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations state the requirements for the registration of vessels.

The Canadian Register of Vessels, also known as the Large Vessel Register, contains over 46,000 vessels and is primarily for:

Commercial vessels and government-owned vessels > 15 gross tons (GT)
Vessels of any size which have marine mortgages registered with TC and/or an approved vessel name
Pleasure craft for which the owner wishes to have an approved vessel name, official number and port of registry, or which the owner wishes to take on international voyages
Vessels under construction which owners wish to temporarily record in the Register

The Small Vessel Register, which contains over 25,000 vessels, is for all non-pleasure craft < 15 GT that do not have a mortgage or approved name, and commercial and government-owned vessels, barges, and commercial river rafts. Foreign registered vessels leased for operation in Canada need to be listed as bareboat chartered vessels, in either the Large or Small Vessel Register.

4.0 Current services and fees

The Canada Shipping Act, 2001, paragraph 35(1)(g), provides the authority to charge fees for Vessel Registry services. The Vessel Registry Fees Tariff lists the fees for Vessel Registry services, which are as follows:

Registration

Service description	Current fee
For processing an application for the initial registration of a vessel	$250
For processing an application for the registration of a vessel that was registered in Canada, then registered elsewhere than in Canada and is about to be registered in Canada again and issuing a certificate of registry	$250
For issuing a provisional certificate	$150
For replacing a certificate of registry or provisional certificate	$50
For temporarily recording a vessel that is about to be built or is under construction in Canada	$25
If the vessel is not registered within 12 months after the date of the application, for each additional period of 12 months or less until the vessel is registered or the application is cancelled	$125
For issuing a certificate of deletion from the registry	$50

Changes/updates to owner and vessel information

Service description	Current fee
For amending the Register or a certificate of registry to reflect an alteration to a vessel and issuing a new certificate of registry	$100
For amending the Register or a certificate of registry to reflect the transfer of the registry of a vessel to a new port of registry and issuing a new certificate of registry	$150
For approving a change in the name of a Canadian vessel and issuing a new certificate of registry	$250

Mortgages

Service description	Current fee
For registering a mortgage and entering its discharge in the Register	$150
For amending the Register to reflect the transfer or transmission of a registered mortgage	$150
For recording a change to the priorities of mortgages or for recording a court injunction or order	$50

Transfers of ownership

Service description	Current fee
For amending the Register to reflect a change of ownership of a Canadian vessel or a share in one and issuing a new certificate of registry	$150

Transcripts and historical research

Service description	Current fee
For issuing transcripts or abstracts of entries in the Register: for each certified copy for each uncertified copy	$50 $20
For historical research respecting the Register that requires searching through various information sources other than the computer database, per request, for each vessel listed under the category: non-active vessel active vessel	$10 $5
For historical research respecting the Register that requires the use of the computer database, for each side of a two-sided printed page	$2

Service description

Current fee

For issuing transcripts or abstracts of entries in the Register:

for each certified copy
for each uncertified copy

For historical research respecting the Register that requires searching through various information sources other than the computer database, per request, for each vessel listed under the category:

non-active vessel
active vessel

For historical research respecting the Register that requires the use of the computer database, for each side of a two-sided printed page

Bareboat chartered vessels

Service description	Current fee
For processing an application for the listing of a bareboat charter and issuing a certificate of registry, for each six-month period	$200
With respect to suspending the right of a Canadian vessel to fly the Canadian flag while the vessel is shown on the registry of a foreign country as a bareboat chartered vessel: for suspending the registration for reinstating the registration	$100 $50

Service description

Current fee

For processing an application for the listing of a bareboat charter and issuing a certificate of registry, for each six-month period

$200

With respect to suspending the right of a Canadian vessel to fly the Canadian flag while the vessel is shown on the registry of a foreign country as a bareboat chartered vessel:

for suspending the registration
for reinstating the registration

$100
$50

Other

Service description	Current fee
For witnessing a declaration before a registrar who is a commissioner of oaths (service is no longer provided)	$10

Small Vessel Register

Service description	Current fee
For registering a vessel, a group of small vessels or a fleet in the Small Vessel Register for a five-year period^{Footnote 3}	$50

Services provided out of hours

Service description	Current fee per hour	Current min. fee
For services provided between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Monday to Friday, other than on a holiday	$70	$140
For services provided any hour on a Saturday or holiday	$70	$210
For services provided any hour on a Sunday	$99	$297

5.0 Cost to TC of providing Vessel Registry services

Costing for cost recovery purposes requires the calculation of the “full cost” to TC of providing Vessel Registry services. In accordance with the Financial Administration Act and associated directives, full cost is the upper legal limit that may be recovered through service fees.

A full cost estimate comprises all relevant resource costs incurred to provide an activity, including direct and indirect costs. More specifically, the Vessel Registry services cost estimates include:

employee salaries and benefits
operating and maintenance costs
development of IT systems
program support, internal services, and office space

TC developed a costing model that captures these cost elements and applies the principles of activity-based costing to assign costs to activities provided by the department based on their use of resources. The estimated cost of providing Vessel Registry services primarily reflects historical program delivery expenditures, with future-oriented cost estimates added to include new activities, such as processing large vessel registration renewals. It is estimated that it would cost TC approximately $4.9 million per year to provide the updated suite of Vessel Registry services.

The estimated cost to process a single transaction depends on the type of service and the effort it takes to handle the request. For example, on the lower end, it costs $70 to issue a replacement certificate of registry based on the average time it takes a TC registrar to complete the transaction. Many of TC’s Vessel Registry services cost in the $100-$300 range to provide, including the most common service request (to renew a certificate of registry). Transactions which are time consuming and complex cost more, such as processing a request to register a bareboat charter which costs approximately $838.

The estimated per-unit cost to handle a single Vessel Registry service transaction is the maximum price that TC could charge. However, as described below, TC took other considerations into account in proposing fees.

6.0 Pricing factors

In addition to the cost to TC of providing Vessel Registry services, TC also conducted the following analyses to determine the proposed fees:

Public-private benefit assessment: TC considered the level of benefit that clients receive from Vessel Registry services, beyond the benefit received by the Canadian public generally.
International comparisons: TC examined how much other countries charge, if anything, for same or similar Vessel Registry services.
Stakeholder impact considerations: TC examined the economic context in which the Canadian marine industry and individuals operate, as well as their unique circumstances and ability to pay fees.

6.1 Public-private benefit assessment

Many of TC’s services provide both public and private benefits. For services that provide a purely public benefit or a purely private benefit, cost recovery rates of 0% and 100% respectively may be appropriate. For services that provide a mix of private and public benefits, establishing a cost recovery rate is more complex. In these cases, the amount TC charges reflects the extent to which the service provides a private benefit to the client, among other factors described in this proposal.

For Vessel Registry services, a public-private assessment was done using the Government of Canada’s Public-Private Benefit Assessment tool, which was developed by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. This tool is used to estimate the extent to which Vessel Registry services benefit clients beyond the benefits accrue to the general public. The tool estimated that approximately 80% of the benefits from TC’s Vessel Registry services accrue to clients, such as the companies, organizations and individuals who register their vessel, benefit from commercial activity or market access, and/or enjoy their pleasure craft. The remaining benefits accrue to the broader public, through safer marine transportation and commerce, and the protection of the marine environment.

This 80% private benefit helps to establish what percentage of the cost TC may be able to recover for the Vessel Registry services it provides.

6.2 International comparison

TC conducted an international comparison to inform our proposed fees. For this comparison, TC chose countries that have a similar level of economic development to Canada, i.e., members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), specifically the United Kingdom (U.K.), United States (U.S.), Australia and New Zealand. TC did not consider the countries with the three largest vessel registries by gross tonnage, which are Panama, Marshall Islands and Liberia. This is because these countries, unlike Canada, have open registries which do not have a nationality or residency requirement for ship registration (i.e., they allow vessels owned by foreign nationals to be registered in their registries).

While the U.K., U.S., Australia and New Zealand have similar requirements to Canada for vessel registration, there are aspects of their services and fees that differ, such as the scope of services offered and the fee structures. These variations make direct comparisons of fees between countries challenging. Furthermore, in some cases, information from other countries for certain services was not readily available. However, there were enough similarities among these countries’ services to still draw informative comparisons.

Canada’s current fee for large vessel registration ($250) is generally in the range of that of the U.K. (C$265-C$339) and U.S. (starting at C$180). Registration fees for large vessels in Australia (C$1,522-C$2,609) and New Zealand (C$1,571-C$3,693) are much higher than in Canada. For small vessel registrations, Canada’s current fee ($50) is generally in the range of the U.K. (C$61) and New Zealand (C$337), which, like Canada, have a separate fee for registering small vessels.

The modernized fees TC is proposing for Vessel Registry services, outlined in Section 7.0, are largely in line with, or below, those of the comparable countries noted above. Refer to Appendix A: International Comparison for a more detailed comparison of Canada’s current and proposed fees to those of the four countries analyzed.

6.3 Impact considerations

In developing the fees put forward in this proposal, TC took into consideration the diverse range of Vessel Registry stakeholders and interested parties, and the context in which they operate, including their unique circumstances and differing abilities to pay fees. The following sections provide an overview of currently registered vessels, as well as key stakeholder groups and interested parties.

6.3.1 Overview of registered vessels

As of January 1, 2021, data^{Footnote 4} from TC’s vessel registers show that registered vessels are engaged in a wide range of activities and are spread across the country.

For the Large Vessel Register, fishing vessels and pleasure craft make up 84% of registered vessels. Large vessel registrations are concentrated in the Atlantic and Pacific regions. The following tables break down large registered vessels by type and region.

Large Vessel Register (by type)

Type of vessel	Number of vessels	Percent of LVR total*
Pleasure craft	19,576	42%
Fishing	19,418	42%
Barge	2,770	6%
Tug	2,475	5%
Ferry and passenger	1,322	3%
Workboat e.g., research, enforcement, first responders	773	2%
Cargo	235	1%
Floating structure	51	<1%
Tanker	39	<1%
Sailing	17	<1%
Air cushion vehicle	4	<1%
Offshore construction vessel	2	<1%
Total	46,682	100%

*Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

Large Vessel Register (by region)

Region of vessel	Number of vessels	Percent of LVR total*
Atlantic	16,331	35%
Pacific	14,322	31%
Quebec	8820	19%
Ontario	7,120	15%
Prairie and Northern	89	<1%
Total	46,682	100%

*Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

In the Small Vessel Register, 94% of registered vessels are workboats, passenger vessels or fishing vessels. Of note, 85% of vessels in the Small Vessel Register are less than 5GT while 15% are 5GT-15GT. The following tables break down small registered vessels by type, size and region.

Small Vessel Register (by type)

Type of vessel	Number of vessels < 5 GT	Number of vessels 5GT – 15GT	Total number of vessels	Percent of SVR total*
Workboat e.g., enforcement, research, first responder	11,248	1,133	12,381	49%
Passenger	5,311	552	5,863	23%
Fishing	3,908	1,605	5,513	22%
Barge	328	391	719	3%
Other	390	46	436	2%
Tug	149	91	240	1%
Auxiliary	91	21	112	<1%
Air cushion vehicle	23	0	23	<1%
Amphibious	3	6	9	<1%
Total	21,451	3,845	25,296	100%
% of Total	85%	15%

*Percentages may not exactly total 100% due to rounding.

Small Vessel Register (by region)

Region of vessel	Number of vessels < 5 GT	Number of vessels 5GT – 15GT	Total number of vessels	Percent of SVR total*
Pacific Region	5,996	1,397	7,393	29%
Ontario	4,706	429	5,135	20%
Atlantic	3,818	1,110	4,928	19%
Quebec	3,837	703	4,540	18%
Prairie and Northern	3,094	206	3,300	13%
Total	21,451	3,845	25,296	100%

*Percentages may not exactly total 100% due to rounding.

6.3.2 Stakeholder groups and interested parties

TC considered the potential impacts of the proposed fees on stakeholder groups and interested parties, such as:

Large vessel owners/operators (e.g., fishing companies; shipping companies; passenger vessel companies; ferry operators; and companies providing other commercial marine services such as dredging, tug and barge, and offshore support)
Small vessel owners/operators (e.g., fishing companies, tourism companies, small ferry owners and water taxi companies)
Owners of pleasure craft who register their vessel
Indigenous peoples and communities
Legal facilitators (e.g., maritime lawyers, banks and brokers)
Governments

The following table provides an overview of the main stakeholder groups and interested parties, and the key considerations that TC took into account in developing this fee proposal:

Stakeholder group and interest parties	Overview of Stakeholder groups and interested parties	Considerations
Large vessel owners/operators Examples: Fishing companies Shipping companies Passenger vessel companies Ferry operators Companies providing other commercial marine services, such as dredging, tug and barge, and offshore support	Commercial vessels are used to perform activities such as fishing; transporting cargo, commodities, equipment, and passengers; and tourism. The fisheries industry is important for local, provincial and territorial economies, and the communities that rely on it. Canadian registered vessels carry about 98% of domestic marine tonnage (mainly bulk cargo). Ferries provide an important transportation link for coastal and island communities, as well as for those separated by river or lake crossings, and play a vital role in resupplying some communities across the country.	As part of this proposal, large vessel owner/operators would see new and updated fees. A key change would be the requirement to pay a renewal fee and submit a request for renewal every 5 years, confirming or providing updated owner and vessel information, instead of automatically receiving new certificates every 3 years for free. Other proposed fees would be payable on an ad hoc basis (e.g., for transfers of ownership). The alignment of validity periods between the Large and Small Vessel Registers and with other TC programs would create more consistency for clients. The proposed Vessel Registry fees are modest compared to the overall cost of owning a large vessel and compared to the overall operating cost of large companies and organizations. TC is mindful that large vessel owner/operators may pay fees to other federal departments (e.g., fees for fishing licences and navigation, ice-breaking and dredging services) and that other federal initiatives (e.g., speed restrictions to protect whales, fishing restrictions, border closures due to the pandemic) have financial impacts on clients as well. Clients may also face fees from Crown corporations and shared governance organizations (e.g., pilotage and port fees). Overall, the proposed Vessel Registry fees would continue to be a small portion of operating costs for large companies.
Small vessel owners/operators, and sole owner individuals Examples: - Fishing companies - Tourism companies (whale watching, sport fishing, outfitters, diving, outdoor camps, river rafting, sailing) - Small ferry owners, water taxi companies	As noted above, fishing and marine transportation are important industries in Canada’s economy and communities. Some vessels are used seasonally (e.g., whale watching tour boats) whereas others are used all year (e.g., ferries, water taxis).	Currently, small vessel owners pay $50 whether registering one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels^{Footnote 5}. As part of this proposal, small vessel owner/operators would see new and updated fees, including higher fees to register a vessel and renew the registration. A separate fee to register a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels would be introduced, which would be higher than the fee to register one vessel, but it would continue to be a fixed fee for registering the whole group or fleet. Small vessel registrations would continue to be valid for five years. TC recognizes that small fishing vessel owners also pay fees for fishing licences to the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Owners of pleasure craft	Pleasure craft, used for recreation or daily living, make up 42% of the Large Vessel Register. This includes pleasure craft whose owners have marine mortgages or who choose to register their pleasure craft instead of licensing it; it does not include licenced pleasure craft. Recreational boating is popular in Canada with over one third of Canadians participating.	The option to register a pleasure craft allows clients to have an approved name and port of registry for their vessel and makes it easier to travel internationally, as other countries often require vessel registration. To renew registrations of pleasure craft, clients would need to submit requests, pay a renewal fee, and provide owner and vessel information every five years, instead of automatically receiving a renewed certificate for free every three years. Owners of pleasure craft, may pay approximately $50 to $70 to take a boating safety course to get their pleasure craft operator card. As part of TC’s fee modernization initiative, under a separate fee proposal, TC has proposed introducing a fee for pleasure craft licences, but these are only applicable to owners who license their pleasure craft rather than register it. Vessel Registry fees would only be payable every five years or on an ad hoc basis. They would be modest compared to the cost of owning a vessel.
Indigenous peoples and communities	Indigenous peoples and communities use vessels for a wide range of activities, such as recreation, commercial fishing, search and rescue operations, ceremonies and food gathering, including Constitutionally-protected rights-based fishing, harvesting, and cultural practices undertaken on the water.	As noted above, small vessel owners pay $50 whether registering one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels. As part of this proposal, small vessel owners would see new and updated fees, including higher fees to register a vessel and renew the registration. A separate fee to register a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels would be introduced, which would be higher than the fee to register one vessel, but it would continue to be a fixed fee for registering the whole group or fleet. TC recognizes that Indigenous peoples may also pay other marine-related fees to the Government of Canada and that these add up. Vessel registrations would be valid for five years so registration fees would only be payable every five years.
Legal facilitators - maritime lawyers - banks and brokers	Maritime lawyers and brokers advise clients on the purchase, financing and sale of vessels. Lawyers and banks may require information from the registers for court or mortgage purposes.	This stakeholder group would benefit from more accurate information in TC’s Registers, as well as more alignment between the Large and Small Vessel Registers and with other TC marine safety programs.
Governments	Governments own a significant number of registered vessels, used for a range of activities such as law enforcement, search and rescue, and research. Crown corporations and other administrative entities that own/operate large vessels were considered as “large vessel owners/operators” above.	As Vessel Registry fees are payable every five years or on an ad hoc basis, they are not expected to be a financial burden on governments.

Under a separate initiative, TC is developing a proposal to create a Vessel Remediation Fund, under the National Strategy to Address Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels that was announced as part of the Oceans Protection Plan in 2016. It is anticipated that this fund would be financed by vessel owners in the form of a regulatory charge to address wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels in Canadian waters. This potential regulatory charge would be separate from, and in addition to, the proposed Vessel Registry fees outlined in this fee proposal.

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted many facets of the Canadian economy, including the marine sector. TC is proposing that the modernized Vessel Registry fees come into force in the winter of 2023, which would allow time for the economic circumstances of impacted clients to improve before the modernized fees would apply.

It is anticipated that TC’s e-registry, once implemented in 2022, would further simplify the registration process for clients. In addition, this system is expected to increase TC’s capacity to process applications.

TC’s plans to engage stakeholders and seek their feedback on this fee proposal are outlined in 10. Engagement and Implementation.

7.0 Proposed fees

Considering the factors described above, TC proposes to introduce the fees listed in the table below. These proposed fees are fixed fees and would be payable upfront i.e., at the time a client requests a service. For services that do not apply to the Small Vessel Register, the proposed fee column is greyed out.

7.1 List of proposed fees

Registration

Service provided by TC	Proposed LVR fees	Proposed SVR fees
1. To issue a certificate of registry	$310	$110 for one vessel; $190 for a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels^{Footnote 6}
2. To renew a certificate of registry	$90	$90 for one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels
3. To issue a certificate of registry for a re-registered vessel	$310	$110 for one vessel; $190 for a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels
4. To issue a provisional certificate of registry	$190	$190
5. To temporarily record a vessel that is going to be built or is under construction in Canada	$80	N/A
6. To extend the reservation of an approved vessel name by 12 months	$65	N/A
7. To replace a certificate of registry or provisional certificate of registry	$50	$50
8. To issue a deletion certificate	$30	$30

Changes/updates to vessel and owner information

Service provided by TC	Proposed LVR fees	Proposed SVR fees
9. To change the name of a registered vessel	$130	N/A
10. To change the port of registry of a registered vessel	$80	N/A
11. To report alterations to a registered vessel	No fee	No fee
12. To update owner name or address	No fee	No fee
13. To appoint an authorized representative	No fee	N/A
14. To change name or address of authorized representative or mortgagee/assignee	No fee	N/A

Mortgages

Service provided by TC	Proposed LVR fees	Proposed SVR fees
15. To register and subsequently discharge a mortgage^{Footnote 7}	$180	N/A
16. To transfer a mortgage	$120	N/A
17. To change the order of priority of registered mortgages	$120	N/A

Transfers of ownership and transmissions

Service provided by TC	Proposed LVR fees	Proposed SVR fees
18. To transfer ownership of a registered vessel^{Footnote 8}	$200	$120 for one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels
19. Transfer of ownership via special sale	$200	N/A
20. Transmission in case of mortgagee/assignee bankruptcy	$200	N/A
21. Transmission in case of owner bankruptcy	$200	$120 for one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels
22. Transmission in case of mortgagee/assignee death	$200	N/A
23. Transmission in case of owner death^{Footnote 9}	$200	$120 for one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels

Transcripts and historical research

Service provided by TC	Proposed LVR fees	Proposed SVR fees
24. To issue a certified transcript	$75	$75
25. To issue an uncertified transcript	$20	$20
26. To conduct historical research (of active and non-active vessels)	$120 per vessel per request	$120 per vessel per request

Bareboat chartered vessels

Service provided by TC	Proposed LVR fees	Proposed SVR fees
27. To issue and subsequently end a certificate of bareboat registry, valid for 6 months	$470	$470
28. To extend a certificate of bareboat registry, valid for 6 months	$190	$190
29. To suspend and subsequently reinstate a Canadian certificate of registry, while vessel is listed in another country	$470	$470
30. To extend the suspension a Canadian certificate of registry, while vessel is listed in another country	$190	$190

TC is proposing that all fees would be adjusted every year on April 1, based on the Consumer Price Index published by Statistics Canada.

7.2 Rationale for proposed fees

The proposed fees more closely reflect the cost to TC to provide these services, and ensure that those who benefit directly from the services pay a greater share of the costs.

The table below provides rationales for the proposed fees. Current fees and proposed fees are included for comparison. Services that do not apply to the Small Vessel Register are greyed out.

Registration

Service provided by TC	LVR Current fees	LVR Proposed fees	SVR Current fees	SVR Proposed fees	Rationale for proposed fees
1. To issue a certificate of registry	$250	$310	$50 for one vessel, a group of vessels, or a fleet of vessels	$110 for one vessel; $190 for a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels^{Footnote 10}	TC is proposing to increase the registration and re-registration fees for the Large and Small Vessel Registers. For the Small Vessel Register, a separate fee to register a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels would be introduced, which would be higher than the fee to register one vessel, but it would continue to be a fixed fee for registering the whole group or fleet. For the Large Vessel Register, TC proposes to introduce a fee for renewals and require those who wish to renew to do so proactively every 5 years (instead of automatically receiving a renewal every 3 years for free). This would align the registration processes and validity periods between the Large and Small Vessel Registers, as well as align the validity periods with those in other marine safety programs. For the Small Vessel Register, TC is proposing to increase the fee for renewing registrations. The same fee would apply to a single vessel, a group of vessels, or a fleet of vessels. Since certificates of registry in the Large and Small Vessel Registers would be valid for 5 years, renewal fees would be payable once every 5 years. Provisional registrations are sometimes sought by clients to be able to conduct sea trials and are valid for 6 months. The proposed fees generally align with those of the U.S. and U.K. In proposing these fees, TC considered the different economic contexts in which large companies and small vessel owners operate.
2. To renew a certificate of registry	No fee	$90	$50	$90 for one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels
3. To issue a certificate of registry for a re-registered vessel	$250	$310	$50	$110 for one vessel; $190 for a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels
4. To issue a provisional certificate of registry	$150	$190	No fee	$190
5. To temporarily record a vessel that is going to be built or is under construction in Canada	$25	$80	N/A	N/A	TC is proposing to increase the fee to temporarily record a vessel to be built or under construction. As the recording remains valid until the vessel is built, this fee is only payable once per vessel. TC is also proposing to lower the fee for extending vessel name reservations to create more consistency between fees.
6. To extend the reservation of an approved vessel name by 12 months	$125	$65	N/A	N/A
7. To replace a certificate of registry or provisional certificate of registry	$50	$50	No fee	$50	For replacement certificates of registry, TC is proposing to keep the Large Vessel Register fee the same and to extend the fee to the Small Vessel Register, to create more consistency between the registers. Replacement certificates are valid for the time remaining on the original certificate.
8. To issue a deletion certificate	$50	$30	No fee	$30	TC is proposing to reduce the fee for a deletion certificate from the Large Vessel Register and extend it to Small Vessel Register, to create more consistency among fees between registers. These certificates do not expire.

Changes/updates to vessel and owner information

Service provided by TC	LVR Current fees	LVR Proposed fees	SVR Current fees	SVR Proposed fees	Rationale for proposed fees
9. To change the name of a registered vessel	$250	$130	N/A	N/A	For the Large Vessel Register, TC is proposing to reduce the fees to change the name or port of registry of registered vessels. This is to encourage reporting of changes to vessel information to improve accuracy of information in the registers, in support of WAHVA. Having a port of registry is not necessary for a vessel to be registered. This service is not applicable to the Small Vessel Register. TC is proposing to eliminate the current fee to report alternations to registered vessels and to maintain no fee for this service in the Small Vessel Register. This is to encourage reporting of changes to vessel information to improve accuracy of information in the registers, in support of WAHVA. TC is proposing to maintain no fees for updating the name or address of vessel owners, appointing authorized representatives and changing the name/address of the authorized representative or mortgagee/assignee.
10. To change the port of registry of a registered vessel	$150	$80	N/A	N.A
11. To report alterations to a registered vessel	$100	No fee	No fee	No fee
12. To update owner name or address	No fee	No fee	No fee	No fee
13. To appoint an authorized representative	No fee	No fee	N/A	N/A
14. To change name or address of authorized representative or mortgagee/assignee	No fee	No fee	N/A	N/A

Mortgages

Service provided by TC	LVR Current fees	LVR Proposed fees	SVR Current fees	SVR Proposed fees	Rationale for proposed fees
15. To register and subsequently discharge a mortgage^{Footnote 11}	$150	$180	N/A	N/A	TC is proposing to increase the fees to register a mortgage and to change the order of priority of registered mortgages. TC is proposing to lower the fee to transfer a mortgage. These proposed changes would better align the fees with the cost to TC of providing these services and create more consistency between fees. Mortgage registrations are not applicable for the Small Vessel Register.
16. To transfer a mortgage	$150	$120	N/A	N/A
17. To change the order of priority of registered mortgages	$50	$120	N/A	N/A

Transfers of ownership and transmissions

Service provided by TC	LVR Current fees	LVR Proposed fees	SVR Current fees	SVR Proposed fees	Rationale for proposed fees
18. To transfer ownership of a registered vessel^{Footnote 12}	$150	$200	$50	$120 for one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels	TC is proposing to increase fees related to transfers of ownership and transmissions for the Large Vessel Register to recover more of the costs of providing these services. Likewise, for the Small Vessel Register, TC is proposing to increase the fee to transfer ownership. Regarding transmissions, only the fees for transmission in case of owner bankruptcy or death are relevant for the Small Vessel Register.
19. Transfer of ownership via special sale	$150	$200	N/A	N/A
20. Transmission in case of mortgagee/assignee bankruptcy	$150	$200	N/A	N/A
21. Transmission in case of owner bankruptcy	$150	$200	No fee	$120 for one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels
22. Transmission in case of mortgagee/assignee death	$150	$200	N/A	N/A
23. Transmission in case of owner death^{Footnote 13}	$150	$200	$50	$120 for one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels

Transcripts and Historical Research

Service provided by TC	LVR Current fees	LVR Proposed fees	SVR Current fees	SVR Proposed fees	Rationale for proposed fees
24. To issue a certified transcript	$50	$75	No fee	$75	For certified transcripts, TC is proposing to increase the fee for the Large Vessel Register and extend it to the Small Vessel Register. For uncertified transcripts, whether requested online or directly with TC’s registrars, TC is proposing to keep the fee for Large Vessel Register the same and extend it to the Small Vessel Register to create more consistency between registers. For historical research, TC is proposing to increase the fee for the Large Vessel Register and extend it to the Small Vessel Register. This fee reflects the time-consuming nature of the work required by TC to conduct historical research.
25. To issue an uncertified transcript	$20	$20	No fee	$20
26. To conduct historical research (of active and non-active vessels)	Active: $10/request Inactive: $5/request Using computer, per printed page: $2	$120 per request	No fee	$120 per request

Service provided by TC

LVR Current fees

LVR Proposed fees

SVR Current fees

SVR Proposed fees

Rationale for proposed fees

24. To issue a certified transcript

$50

$75

No fee

$75

For certified transcripts, TC is proposing to increase the fee for the Large Vessel Register and extend it to the Small Vessel Register.
For uncertified transcripts, whether requested online or directly with TC’s registrars, TC is proposing to keep the fee for Large Vessel Register the same and extend it to the Small Vessel Register to create more consistency between registers.
For historical research, TC is proposing to increase the fee for the Large Vessel Register and extend it to the Small Vessel Register. This fee reflects the time-consuming nature of the work required by TC to conduct historical research.

25. To issue an uncertified transcript

$20

No fee

$20

26. To conduct historical research (of active and non-active vessels)

Active: $10/request

Inactive: $5/request

Using computer, per printed page: $2

$120 per request

No fee

$120 per request

Bareboat Chartered Vessels

Service provided by TC	Service provided by TC	LVR Current fees	LVR Proposed fees	SVR Current fees	Rationale for proposed fees
27. To issue and subsequently end a Certificate of Bareboat Registry, valid for 6 months	$200	$470	No fee	$470	For issuing a bareboat certificate and for suspending a Canadian registration while the vessel is listed abroad, TC is proposing to increase the fee for the Large Vessel Register and extend it to the Small Vessel Register. To extend the suspension while a Canadian vessel is listed in another country, TC is proposing to introduce fees for Large and Small Vessel Registers. These changes would allow TC to recover more of the costs of providing these services. TC is also proposing to reduce the fee for extending a bareboat certificate in the Large Vessel Register to create more consistency between fees for bareboat services. Bareboat certificates and suspensions are valid for 6 months. To date, bareboat charters have not been requested in the Small Vessel Register. However, TC proposes to extend its proposed bareboat fees for the Large Vessel Register to the Small Vessel Register as TC may receive requests for certificates of bareboat registry for the small vessel register in the future.
28. To extend a certificate of bareboat registry, valid for 6 months	$200	$190	No fee	$190
29. To suspend and subsequently reinstate a Canadian certificate of registry, while vessel is listed in another country	$150	$470	No fee	$470
30. To extend the suspension a Canadian certificate of registry, while vessel is listed in another country	No fee	$190	No fee	$190

Overall, with these proposed fees, TC proposes to recover, in aggregate, 44% of the costs of its services. Cost recovery rates for the individual service types range from 16% to 74%, depending on the considerations described above.

A comparison of the current and proposed fees for Vessel Registry services often requested together can be found in in Appendix B: Example Fee Impacts.

8.0 Proposed regulatory amendments

Currently, many of TC’s marine safety fees are spread across numerous regulations made under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. This includes, for example, fees for Vessel Registry (Vessel Registry Fees Tariff), fees for marine cargo services (Cargo, Fumigation and Tackle Regulations; Port Wardens Tariff), and fees for domestic vessel regulatory oversight services (Board of Steamship Inspection Scale of Fees). TC is in the process of consolidating many marine safety fees into the Marine Safety Fees Regulations, which would allow stakeholders to find them in one place.

As part of this regulatory modernization, the Vessel Registry Fees Tariff would be repealed entirely and the proposed new and updated fees would be added to the Marine Safety Fees Regulations.

9.0 Proposed service standards

Service standards publicly state the level of service, such as how fast a service is provided, that clients can reasonably expect to receive under normal circumstances. Vessel Registry clients rely on TC’s services when conducting various marine related business.

Service standards for Vessel Registry are listed on the TC website. As part of this fee proposal, TC proposes to update some Vessel Registry service standards^{Footnote 14}, as presented in the table below. Services that do not apply to the Small Vessel Register are greyed out.

Registration

Service provided by TC	LVR Current Service Standard	SVR Current Service Standard	Proposed Service Standard
1. To issue a certificate of registry	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Within 45 days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.
2. To renew a certificate of registry	Not applicable because renewals are currently automatic.	Within 45 days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.
3. To issue a certificate of registry for a re-registered vessel	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Within 45 days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.
4. To issue a provisional certificate of registry	Within 2 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Issue provisional certificate of registry within 2 business days after receipt of a complete application.
5. To temporarily record a vessel that is going to be built or is under construction in Canada	Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	N/A	LVR: Notify client that the vessel has been recorded within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application. SVR: N/A
6. To extend the reservation of an approved vessel name by 12 months	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	N/A	LVR: Notify client of reservation extension within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application. SVR: N/A
7. To replace a certificate of registry or provisional certificate of registry	Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Issue certificate of registry or provisional certificate of registry within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application.
8. To issue a deletion certificate	Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Issue deletion certificate within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application.

Changes/Updates to Vessel and Owner Information

Service provided by TC	LVR Current Service Standard	SVR Current Service Standard	Proposed Service Standard
9. To change the name of a registered vessel	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	N/A	LVR: Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application. SVR: N/A
10. To change the port of registry of a registered vessel	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	N/A	LVR: Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application. SVR: N/A
11. To report alterations to a registered vessel	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.
12. To update owner name or address	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.
13. To appoint an authorized representative	No service standard	No service standard	Notify authorized representative of appointment within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.
14. To change name or address of authorized representative or mortgagee/assignee.	No service standard	No service standard	Notify client of updated name or address of authorized representative or mortgagee/assignee within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.

Mortgages

Service provided by TC	LVR Current Service Standard	SVR Current Service Standard	Proposed Service Standard
15. To register and subsequently discharge a mortgage^{Footnote 15}	Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	N/A	LVR: Notify client of mortgage registration within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application. SVR: N/A
16. To transfer a mortgage	Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	N/A	LVR: Notify client of mortgage transfer within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application. SVR: N/A
17. To change the order of priority of registered mortgages	Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	N/A	LVR: Notify client of change to order of priority of registered mortgages within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application. SVR: N/A

Service provided by TC

LVR Current Service Standard

SVR Current Service Standard

Proposed Service Standard

15. To register and subsequently discharge a mortgage^{Footnote 15}

Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.

N/A

LVR: Notify client of mortgage registration within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application.

SVR: N/A

16. To transfer a mortgage

Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.

N/A

LVR: Notify client of mortgage transfer within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application.

SVR: N/A

17. To change the order of priority of registered mortgages

Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.

N/A

LVR: Notify client of change to order of priority of registered mortgages within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application.

SVR: N/A

Transfer of Ownership and Transmissions

Service provided by TC	LVR Current Service Standard	SVR Current Service Standard	Proposed Service Standard
18. To transfer ownership of a registered vessel^{Footnote 16}	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Within 45 days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.
19. Transfer of ownership via special sale	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	N/A	LVR: Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application. SVR: N/A
20. Transmission in case of mortgagee/assignee bankruptcy	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	N/A	LVR: Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application. SVR: N/A
21. Transmission in case of owner bankruptcy	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Within 45 days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.
22. Transmission in case of mortgagee/assignee death	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	N/A	LVR: Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application. SVR: N/A
23. Transmission in case of owner death^{Footnote 17}	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Within 45 days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	Issue certificate of registry within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.

Transcripts and Historical Research

Service provided by TC	LVR Current Service Standard	SVR Current Service Standard	Proposed Service Standard
24. To issue a certified transcript	Within 2 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Issue certified transcript within 2 business days after receipt of a complete application.
25. To issue an uncertified transcript	Within 2 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Issue uncertified transcript within 2 business days after receipt of a complete application.
26. To conduct historical research (of active and non-active vessels)	Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Provide results of historical research within 30 business days after receipt of a complete application.

Bareboat Chartered Vessels

Service provided by TC	LVR Current Service Standard	SVR Current Service Standard	Proposed Service Standard
27. To issue and subsequently end a Certificate of Bareboat Registry, valid for 6 months	Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Issue certificate of bareboat registry within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application.
28. To extend a Certificate of Bareboat Registry, valid for 6 months	Within 5 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Issue certificate of bareboat registry within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application.
29. To suspend and subsequently reinstate a Canadian certificate of registry, while vessel is listed in another country	Suspend: Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation. Reinstate: Within 30 working days excluding any delays incurred to obtain missing information and/or documentation.	No service standard	Notify client that Canadian certificate of registry has been suspended within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application.
30. To extend the suspension a Canadian certificate of registry, while vessel is listed in another country	No service standard	No service standard	Notify client that suspension of Canadian certificate of registry has been extended within 5 business days after receipt of a complete application.

TC’s Remission Policy, which took effect on April 1, 2021, is a public document which informs clients about the circumstances in which TC would reimburse a portion of fees that have been paid if TC considers the applicable service standard has not been met. As well, TC must report on service standards performance under the requirements of the Service Fees Act.

10.0 Engagement and implementation

TC’s Fee Modernization initiative is a multi-year undertaking, and TC is engaging stakeholders to seek their feedback throughout the process. TC has presented on its Fee Modernization initiative at various Canadian Marine Advisory Council meetings since 2017.

This fee proposal will be posted on TC’s Let’s Talk Transportation webpage, where it will be available for 90 days for review and feedback by stakeholders, interested parties and the public.

Following consultation on the fee proposal, TC will consider feedback from stakeholders and will publish a “What We Heard” report, which will summarize the feedback received during the consultation period and outline next steps. Proposed regulations would then be pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, expected in 2022, for further review and comment from stakeholders. Once any final changes are made based on the consultation period for the proposed regulations, the modernized fees would be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, expected in the winter of 2023, and subsequently come into force.

TC will publish guidance material for both stakeholders and employees so that stakeholders can clearly understand how and when the fees would apply and to ensure that the modernized fees are applied consistently across Canada. Clients that submit requests for services prior to the date of implementation of the modernized fees would be charged the current fees. Clients that submit requests for services after the coming into force date would be charged the modernized fees.

All fees would be adjusted on April 1 every year based on the Consumer Price Index. They will be published on the TC website and TC will report on its fees in its annual Fees Report, tabled in Parliament and posted on the TC website.

Appendix A: International comparison

Note: Conversions to Canadian dollars are based on exchange rates published by the Bank of Canada on January 4, 2021.

Registration

Large Vessel Register	Canada Current fee	Canada proposed fee	United Kingdom^{Footnote 18}	United States^{Footnote 19}	Australia^{Footnote 20}	New Zealand^{Footnote 21}
To register a vessel and issue a certificate of registry	$250	$310	The registration of a ship, including registration of a ship whose registration has expired: £153 (C$265) The registration of a ship following provisional registration £75 (C$130) The registration of a fishing vessel, including registration of a vessel whose registration has expired— with full registration; £196 (C$339); with simple registration £159 (C$275)	Fees: Initial Certificate of Documentation (1 year expiration) US$133 (C$170) + Bill of Sale US$8 (C$10) per page + Mortgage US$4 (C$5) per page + Endorsements max US$29 (C$37)	Application for registration or re-registration for: a) ship required to be registered A$2,664 (C$2,609) b) ship permitted to be registered A$1,554 (C$1,522)	Initial registry - new build ship exceeding 24m NZ$2,450 (C$2,244) Initial registry - new build ship not exceeding 24m NZ$1,715 (C$1,571) Initial registry/re-registry - existing ship exceeding 24m NZ$2,940 (C$3,693) Initial registry/re-registry - existing ship not exceeding 24m NZ$2,205 (C$2,020) Part B (for recreational vessels that need nationality for overseas voyaging) Initial Registration: $368 (C$337)
To renew a certificate of registry	$0	$90	The renewal of a registration under regulation 42 of the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993: £72 (C$125)	Renewal: US$26 (C$33) Late renewal: US$26 (C$33) + US$5 (C$6)	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Part B: Renewal of registration: $245 (C$224)
To issue a certificate of registry for a re-registered vessel	$250	$310	The registration of a ship, including registration of a ship whose registration has expired: £153 (C$265)	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for registration or re-registration for: a) ship required to be registered A$2,664 (C$2,609) b) ship permitted to be registered A$1,554 (C$1,522)	Part B: Replacement certificate of registration $245 (C$224)
To issue a provisional certificate of registry	$150	$190	An application to the Registrar for provisional registration of a ship £175 (C$303) An application to the Registrar for provisional registration of a fishing vessel, with full registration: £179 (C$310) with simple registration: £155 (C$268)	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for provisional registration certificate A$333 (C$326) Extension of period of currency of provisional certificate A$222 (C$217)	Provisional certificate of registry NZ$490 (C$449) Part B: Provisional certificate of registration NZ$368 (C$337)
To temporarily record a vessel that is going to be built or is under construction in Canada	$25	$80	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.
To extend the reservation of an approved vessel name by 12 months	$125	$65	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.
To replace a certificate of registry or provisional certificate of registry	$50	$50	The issue of a duplicate certificate £32 (C$55)	Replacement of Lost or Mutilated Certificate of Documentation US$50 (C$64)	Application for new registration certificate A$222 (C$217)	Replacement certificate of registry NZ$245 (C$224)
To issue a deletion certificate	$50	$30	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Evidence of Deletion from Documentation US $15 (C$19)	Supply of deletion certificate A$111 (C$109)	Not applicable or information not readily available.

Changes/updates to owner and vessel information

Large Vessel Register	Canada Current fee	Canada proposed fee	United Kingdom	United States	Australia	New Zealand
To change the name of a registered vessel	$250	$130	The registration of a change of name of a ship £46 (C$80) *If you apply for more than one change in the Register relating to the same ship, the fee for the first change is £46 (C$80); the fee for the second and each subsequent change is £17 (C$29) The registration of a change of name of a fishing vessel £53 (C$92)	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for change of name of registered ship A$111 (C$109)	Change of ship’s name or port of registry NZ$245 (C$224) Change of ship’s name and port of registry NZ$368 (C$337)
To change the port of registry of a registered vessel	$150	$80	The registration of a change of port of choice £46 (C$80) *If you apply for more than one change in the Register relating to the same ship, the fee for the first change is £46 (C$80); the fee for the second and each subsequent change is £17 (C$29) For fishing vessels, the registration of a change of port of choice or port number or both £53 (C$92)	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for change of home port of registered ship A$111 (C$109)	Change of ship’s name or port of registry NZ$245 (C$224) Change of ship’s name and port of registry NZ$368 (C$337)
To report alterations to a registered vessel	$100	$0	The registration of a change of measurement, tonnage or engine particulars recorded in the Register £46 (C$80) *If you apply for more than one change in the Register relating to the same ship, (c) the fee for the first change is £46 (C$80); the fee for the second and each subsequent change is £17 (C$29) For fishing vessels, the registration of a change of measurement, tonnage or engine particulars recorded in the register £53 (C$92)	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Alterations to ship: NZ$613 (C$562)
To update owner name or address	$0	$0	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Appointment/change of representative person: NZ$245 (C$224) Change of name or nationality of owner, mortgagee, charterer, representative person:NZ$490 (C$449)
To appoint an authorized representative	$0	$0	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Appointment/change of representative person: NZ$245 (C$224) Change of name or nationality of owner, mortgagee, charterer, representative person:NZ$490 (C$449)
To change name or address of authorized representative or mortgagee/assignee	$0	$0	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Appointment/change of representative person: NZ$245 (C$224) Change of name or nationality of owner, mortgagee, charterer, representative person:NZ$490 (C$449)

Mortgages

Large Vessel Register	Canada Current fee	Canada proposed fee	United Kingdom	United States	Australia	New Zealand
To register and subsequently discharge a mortgage	$150	$180	The registration of a mortgage— for the first or only mortgage; £101 (C$175); for the second and each additional mortgage £19 (C$33) For fishing vessels, the registration of a mortgage— where one mortgage only is registered; £101 (C$175); where more than one mortgage is registered on any occasion, for each additional mortgage £13 (C$23)	Mortgages and Related Instruments US$4 (C$5) per page	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Registration of mortgage: NZ$490 (C$449) Discharge of mortgage: NZ$245 (C$224) Alteration of terms of mortgage by endorsement: NZ$368 (C$337)
To transfer a mortgage	$150	$120	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Mortgages and Related Instruments US$4 (C$5) per page	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Transfer of mortgage: NZ$368 (C$337)
To change the order of priority of registered mortgages	$50	$120	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Mortgages and Related Instruments US$4 (C$5) per page	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Variation of priority of mortgages: NZ$368 (C$337)
To record a mortgage on a vessel to be built or under construction in Canada	$150	$200	The registration of a notice of intended mortgage £37 (C$64)	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Endorsement of master’s details on certificate of registry: NZ$245 (C$224) Registration of mortgage: NZ$490 (C$449) Alteration of terms of mortgage by endorsement: NZ$368 (C$337)

Transfers of ownership and transmissions

Large Vessel Register	Canada Current fee	Canada proposed fee	United Kingdom	United States	Australia	New Zealand
To transfer ownership of a registered vessel	$150	$200	The registration of transfer of ownership of a registered ship—for the first or only transfer; £105 (C$182); for the second and each subsequent transfer £20 (C$35). The registration of transfer of ownership of a registered fishing vessel— with full registration; £105 (C$182); with simple registration; £88 (C$152); where more than one transfer is registered on any occasion, for each additional transfer £21 (C$36)	Exchange of Certificate of Documentation: $84 (C$107) Bill of Sale and Instruments in Nature of Bill of Sale US$8 (C$10) per page	Application for registration of transfer or transmission of ownership in relation to: a) ship required to be registered A$777 (C$761) b) ship permitted to be registered A$444 (C$435)	Transfer of ship or shares in a ship: NZ$613 (C$562)
Transfer of ownership via special sale	$150	$200	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for registration of transfer or transmission of ownership in relation to: a) ship required to be registered A$777 (C$761) b) ship permitted to be registered A$444 (C$435)	Not applicable or information not readily available.
Transmission in case of mortgagee/assignee bankruptcy	$150	$200	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for registration of transfer or transmission of ownership in relation to: a) ship required to be registered A$777 (C$761) b) ship permitted to be registered A$444 (C$435)	Transmission of mortgage by operation of law: NZ$368 (C$337)
Transmission in case of owner bankruptcy	$150	$200	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for registration of transfer or transmission of ownership in relation to: a) ship required to be registered A$777 (C$761) b) ship permitted to be registered A$444 (C$435)	Transmission of ship or share in a ship by operation of law: NZ$613 (C$562)
Transmission in case of mortgagee/assignee death	$150	$200	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for registration of transfer or transmission of ownership in relation to: a) ship required to be registered A$777 (C$761) b) ship permitted to be registered A$444 (C$435)	Transmission of mortgage by operation of law: NZ$368 (C$337)
Transmission in case of owner death	$150	$200	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for registration of transfer or transmission of ownership in relation to: (a) ship required to be registered A$777 (C$761) (b) ship permitted to be registered A$444 (C$435)	Transmission of ship or share in a ship by operation of law: NZ$613 (C$562)

Transcripts and historical research

Large Vessel Register	Canada Current fee	Canada proposed fee	United Kingdom	United States	Australia	New Zealand
To issue a certified transcript	$50	$75	Issue of transcripts of entries in the Register relating to any one ship—for current entries; £29 (C$50); for other entries £46 (C$80) The issue of a transcript of entries in the register relating to any one fishing vessel— for current entries; £32 (C$55); for other entries £46 (C$80)	Certificate of Compliance (46 CFR Part 68) US$55 (C$70) Abstract of Title (CG-1332) $25 (C$32) Certificate of Ownership (CG-1330) US$125 (C$159) + Attachment for each vessel with same data US$10 (C$13) Certified Copy of Recorded Instrument US$4 (C$5) Certified Copy of Certificate of Documentation US$4 (C$5)	Supply of certified title extract A$75 (C$73) Supply of certified copy of register entry A$40 (C$39) Supply of certified copy of documents from the register, for each page A$21 (C$21)	Certified transcript of registry: NZ$245 (C$224) Certified copy of document: NZ$245 (C$224) Computer print-out of registry details: NZ$245 (C$224) Inspection of the register: NZ$245 (C$224) Copy of list of ships over 100 gross tons or 24 meters in length: NZ$245 (C$224)
To issue an uncertified transcript	$20	$20	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Request a title abstract A$75 (C$73)	Not applicable or information not readily available.
To conduct historical research (of active and non-active vessels)	Active: $10/request Inactive: $5/request Using computer, per printed page: $2	$120 per request	Personal inspection of the Register (per hour or part of an hour) £11 (C$19)	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Inspection of register in relation to a registered ship—for each period of 15 minutes A$55.50 (C$54)	Inspection of the Register: $245 (C$224)

Large Vessel Register

Canada

Current fee

Canada proposed fee

United Kingdom

United States

Australia

New Zealand

To issue a certified transcript

$50

$75

Issue of transcripts of entries in the Register relating to any one ship—for current entries; £29 (C$50); for other entries £46 (C$80)

The issue of a transcript of entries in the register relating to any one fishing vessel— for current entries; £32 (C$55); for other entries £46 (C$80)

Certificate of Compliance (46 CFR Part 68) US$55 (C$70)

Abstract of Title (CG-1332) $25 (C$32)

Certificate of Ownership (CG-1330) US$125 (C$159) + Attachment for each vessel with same data US$10 (C$13)

Certified Copy of Recorded Instrument US$4 (C$5)

Certified Copy of Certificate of Documentation US$4 (C$5)

Supply of certified title extract

A$75 (C$73)

Supply of certified copy of register entry

A$40 (C$39)

Supply of certified copy of documents from the register, for each page

A$21 (C$21)

Certified transcript of registry: NZ$245 (C$224)

Certified copy of document: NZ$245 (C$224)

Computer print-out of registry details: NZ$245 (C$224)

Inspection of the register: NZ$245 (C$224)

Copy of list of ships over 100 gross tons or 24 meters in length: NZ$245 (C$224)

To issue an uncertified transcript

$20

Not applicable or information not readily available.

Request a title abstract A$75 (C$73)

Not applicable or information not readily available.

To conduct historical research (of active and non-active vessels)

Active: $10/request

Inactive: $5/request

Using computer, per printed page: $2

$120 per request

Personal inspection of the Register (per hour or part of an hour) £11 (C$19)

Not applicable or information not readily available.

Inspection of register in relation to a registered ship—for each period of 15 minutes

A$55.50 (C$54)

Inspection of the Register: $245 (C$224)

Bareboat chartered vessels

Large Vessel Register	Canada Current fee	Canada proposed fee	United Kingdom	United States	Australia	New Zealand
To issue and subsequently end a Certificate of Bareboat Registry, valid for 6 months	$200	$470	Ship registration costs £124 (C$215) and there’s a renewal fee of £49 (C$85) every 5 years or depending on the length of your charter agreement.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for registration or re-registration for ship on demise charter: $3,996 (C$3,913)	Initial registry – demise charter ship: $3,340 (C$3,059)
To extend a Certificate of Bareboat Registry, valid for 6 months	$200	$190	Ship registration costs £124 (C$215) and there’s a renewal fee of £49 (C$85) every 5 years or depending on the length of your charter agreement.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Application for registration or re-registration for ship on demise charter: $3,996 (C$3,913)	Not applicable or information not readily available.
To suspend and subsequently reinstate a domestic certificate of registry, while vessel is listed in another country	$150	$470	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.
To extend the suspension a domestic certificate of registry, while vessel is listed in another country	$0	$190	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Not applicable or information not readily available.

Registration

Small Vessel Register	Canada Current fee	Canada proposed fee	United Kingdom^{Footnote 22}	New Zealand^{Footnote 23}
To register a vessel and issue a certificate of registry	$50 for one vessel, a group of vessels, or a fleet of vessels	$110 for one vessel; $190 for a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels	Registration: £35 (C$61) for 5 years	Initial registration: NZ$368 (C$337)
To renew a certificate of registry	$50	$90 for one vessel, a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Renewal of registration within 6 months before expiry: NZ$245 (C$224)
To issue a certificate of registry for a re-registered vessel	$50	$110 for one vessel; $190 for a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Re-registration within 6 months after expiry: NZ$245 (C$224)
To issue a provisional certificate of registry	$0	$190	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Provisional certificate of registration: NZ$368 (C$337)
To replace a certificate of registry or provisional certificate of registry	$0	$50	The issue of a duplicate copy of the certificate: £35 (C$61)	Replacement certificate of registration: NZ$245 (C$224)

Changes/updates to owner and vessel information

Small Vessel Register	Canada Current fee	Canada proposed fee	United Kingdom	New Zealand
To register alterations to a registered vessel	$0	$0	The issue of an amended certificate: £35 (C$61)	Change of ship’s name: NZ$245 (C$224)
To change owner name or address	$0	$0	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Change of registered owner’s name: NZ$368 (C$337)

Small Vessel Register

Canada

Current fee

Canada proposed fee

United Kingdom

New Zealand

To register alterations to a registered vessel

The issue of an amended certificate: £35 (C$61)

Change of ship’s name: NZ$245 (C$224)

To change owner name or address

Not applicable or information not readily available.

Change of registered owner’s name: NZ$368 (C$337)

Transcripts and historical research

Small Vessel Register	Canada Current fee	Canada proposed fee	United Kingdom	New Zealand
To issue a transcript	$0	Certified: $75 Uncertified: $20	The issue of a transcript of entries in Part III of the Register relating to any one ship— for current entries; £29 (C$50)	Certified transcript of registration: NZ$245 (C$224) Certified copy of document: NZ$245 (C$224) Computer print-out of registration details: NZ$245 (C$224)
To conduct historical research	$0	$120	Not applicable or information not readily available.	Inspection of the register: NZ$245 (C$224)

Small Vessel Register

Canada

Current fee

Canada proposed fee

United Kingdom

New Zealand

To issue a transcript

Certified: $75

Uncertified: $20

The issue of a transcript of entries in Part III of the Register relating to any one ship— for current entries; £29 (C$50)

Certified transcript of registration: NZ$245 (C$224)

Certified copy of document: NZ$245 (C$224)

Computer print-out of registration details: NZ$245 (C$224)

To conduct historical research

$120

Not applicable or information not readily available.

Inspection of the register: NZ$245 (C$224)

Appendix B: Proposed fees vs. current fees

To illustrate how proposed fees would impact clients, the following tables compare the current fees and the proposed fees for services often requested together:

Registering a vessel with a mortgage	Current fee	Proposed fee
Register a vessel in the Large Vessel Register	$250	$310
Register a mortgage	$150	$180
Obtain an uncertified transcript	$20	$20
Total	$420	$510

Transferring ownership of a large vessel	Current fee	Proposed fee
Transfer ownership in the Large Vessel Register	$150	$200
Change the name of a registered vessel	$250	$130
Change the port of registry	$150	$80
Register a mortgage	$150	$180
Obtain a certified transcript	$50	$75
Total	$750	$665

Recording a vessel under construction and registering it once it is built	Current fee	Proposed fee
Record a vessel under construction	$25	$80
Extend the reservation of a vessel name	$125	$65
Register a vessel in the Large Vessel Register	$250	$310
Register a mortgage	$150	$180
Obtain a certified transcript	$50	$75
Total	$600	$710

Transferring ownership of a large vessel and reporting alterations	Current fee	Proposed fee
Transfer ownership in the Large Vessel Register	$150	$200
Report alterations to a registered vessel	$100	No fee
Total	$250	$200

Renewing registration of a small vessel and reporting alterations	Current fee	Proposed fee
Renew registration	$50	$90
Report alterations	$0	$0
Total	$50	$90

Registering a group of vessels or a fleet of vessels in the Small Vessel Register	Current fee	Proposed fee
Register a group of small vessels	$50 (regardless of the number of vessels)	$190 (regardless of the number of vessels)
Renew a group of small vessels	$50 (regardless of the number of vessels)	$90 (regardless of the number of vessels)
Register a fleet of small vessels	$50 (regardless of the number of vessels)	$190 (regardless of the number of vessels)
Renew a fleet of small vessels	$50 (regardless of the number of vessels)	$90 (regardless of the number of vessels)

Footnotes

Footnote 1

This figure includes vessels registrations that are active or suspended.

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Originally titled the Ships Registry and Licensing Fees Tariff.

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Footnote 3

A group of vessels refers to two or more vessels owned by the same client, which are <5GT and registered at the same time, with a certificate of registry for each vessel. A fleet of vessels refers to two or more identical vessels, which are less than 10 horsepower (7.5 kW), human powered, or sailing vessels, owned by the same client under one certificate of registry.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Data includes active and suspended registered vessels.

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Footnote 5

Return to footnote 5 referrer

Footnote 6

Return to footnote 6 referrer

Footnote 7

Also includes builder’s mortgages.

Return to footnote 7 referrer

Footnote 8

If one set of shares is transferred, the fee is paid once; if multiple sets of shares are transferred, the fee is paid for each set of shares transferred.

Return to footnote 8 referrer

Footnote 9

The fee does not apply when the vessel is transmitted to a surviving joint owner. Also, if the executor becomes the vessel owner and pays the transmission fee, he/she does not also pay a transfer of ownership fee.

Return to footnote 9 referrer

Footnote 10

Return to footnote 10 referrer

Footnote 11

Also includes builder’s mortgages.

Return to footnote 11 referrer

Footnote 12

If one set of shares is transferred, the fee is paid once; if multiple sets of shares are transferred, the fee is paid for each set of shares transferred.

Return to footnote 12 referrer

Footnote 13

Return to footnote 13 referrer

Footnote 14

Currently, services without fees do not have service standards. As part of this proposal, and to improve service delivery to clients, TC is proposing service standards for all Vessel Registry services i.e., those services with fees and those without.

Return to footnote 14 referrer

Footnote 15

Also includes builder’s mortgages.

Return to footnote 15 referrer

Footnote 16

If one set of shares is transferred, the fee is paid once; if multiple sets of shares are transferred, the fee is paid for each set transferred.

Return to footnote 16 referrer

Footnote 17

Return to footnote 17 referrer

Footnote 18

“Maritime & Coastguard Agency quick guide to fees – November 2018 (PDF, 312 KB)”, Maritime & Coastguard Agency, January 4, 2021

Return to footnote 18 referrer

Footnote 19

“National Vessel Documentation Center Table of Fees (PDF, 24.53 KB)”, United States Coast Guard, January 4, 2021

Return to footnote 19 referrer

Footnote 20

“Shipping registration fees”, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, January 4, 2021,

Return to footnote 20 referrer

Footnote 21

“Ship Registration Fees”, Maritime New Zealand, January 4, 2021

Return to footnote 21 referrer

Footnote 22

Maritime & Coastguard Agency quick guide to fees – November 2018 (PDF, 312 KB)

Return to footnote 22 referrer

Footnote 23

Maritime New Zealand: Ship registration fees

Return to footnote 23 referrer

Fee proposal for Vessel Registry Program

On this page

Executive summary

1.0 Purpose

2.0 Context

3.0 Overview of Vessel Registry

4.0 Current services and fees

Registration

Changes/updates to owner and vessel information

Mortgages

Transfers of ownership

Transcripts and historical research

Bareboat chartered vessels

Other

Small Vessel Register

Services provided out of hours

5.0 Cost to TC of providing Vessel Registry services

6.0 Pricing factors

6.1 Public-private benefit assessment

6.2 International comparison

6.3 Impact considerations

6.3.1 Overview of registered vessels

Large Vessel Register (by type)

Large Vessel Register (by region)

Small Vessel Register (by type)

Small Vessel Register (by region)

6.3.2 Stakeholder groups and interested parties

7.0 Proposed fees

7.1 List of proposed fees

Registration

Changes/updates to vessel and owner information

Mortgages

Transfers of ownership and transmissions

Transcripts and historical research

Bareboat chartered vessels

7.2 Rationale for proposed fees

Registration

Changes/updates to vessel and owner information

Mortgages

Transfers of ownership and transmissions

Transcripts and Historical Research

Bareboat Chartered Vessels

8.0 Proposed regulatory amendments

9.0 Proposed service standards

Registration

Changes/Updates to Vessel and Owner Information

Mortgages

Transfer of Ownership and Transmissions

Transcripts and Historical Research

Bareboat Chartered Vessels

10.0 Engagement and implementation

Appendix A: International comparison

Registration

Changes/updates to owner and vessel information

Mortgages

Transfers of ownership and transmissions

Transcripts and historical research

Bareboat chartered vessels

Registration

Changes/updates to owner and vessel information

Transcripts and historical research

Appendix B: Proposed fees vs. current fees