Marine insurance certificates are now digital and will be delivered by email. We are no longer mailing paper copies. All existing paper certificates are valid until the expiry date listed on the certificate. See the After you apply section for more details.
In a country where the Bunkers, Civil Liability and Wreck Removal Conventions are in force, vessels need insurance certificates. In Canada, Transport Canada issues these certificates to Canadian vessels as well as foreign vessels that are registered in countries where these conventions are not in force.
Your marine insurance certificate is valid for up to one year. You’ll need to re-apply every year before your certificate expires.
Types of Certificates
There are three marine insurance certificates currently issued by Transport Canada.
International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage
The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001, (Bunkers Convention), makes vessel owners strictly liable for oil pollution damage and sets out limits of liability and compulsory insurance for all vessels that use bunker oil. Bunker oil is considered to be any fuel used in the propulsion or operation of the vessel. Because it is so commonly used, it is more frequently involved in pollution incidents than oil carried as cargo by tankers.
Under the Bunkers Convention, owners of a vessel over 1,000 gross tonnes must maintain adequate insurance or other financial security and ships over 1,000 gross tonnes must carry a certificate issued by countries that are party to the Convention. In Canada, it is Transport Canada that issues these certificates.
International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage
The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992 (CLC), makes owners of vessels carrying persistent oil as cargo (e.g. oil tankers) strictly liable for oil pollution damage and sets out limits of liability for vessels based on their size.
Under the CLC, owners of vessels that carry 2,000 tonnes or more of persistent oil in bulk as cargo must maintain adequate insurance or other financial security and must carry a certificate issued by countries that are party to the Convention. In Canada, it is Transport Canada that issues these certificates.
Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks
The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007 (the Wreck Removal Convention) ensures that wrecks that may cause a hazard to:
- safety
- navigation
- property
- communities, and/or
- the marine environment
are quickly and expertly removed. It also makes the owner of the wreck strictly liable for all eligible costs linked to wreck removal.
Under the Wreck Removal Convention, owners of a vessel of 300 gross tonnes or more must maintain adequate insurance or other financial security and must carry a certificate issued by countries that are party to the Convention. In Canada, it is Transport Canada that issues these certificates.
Related information
- Liability and compensation for marine incidents
- Marine liability and compensation: Passenger vessel insurance
- New passenger insurance requirements for commercial vessels
- Marine Liability and Compensation: Wreck removal
- Marine Liability and Compensation: Limitation of liability for maritime claims
- Marine Liability and Compensation: Oil Spills