All seagoing vessels that operate in Canadian waters need one or more certificates, depending on the type of vessel and cargo:
- vessels of 1,000 gross tonnes or more that carry bunker oil for the vessel’s propulsion or operation need a Bunkers Certificate
- vessels that can carry 2,000 tonnes or more of bulk persistent oil as cargo need a CLC certificate
- vessels of 300 gross tonnes or more need a Wreck Removal Certificate
Any of these people can apply for the certificate:
- vessel’s owner, including the registered owner
- bareboat charterer
- manager
- operator
Documents you need to apply
Canadian vessels
Your application must include a Blue Card for every vessel. If your insurance company gave you a Blue Card that covers multiple vessels, you can upload a single Blue Card.
A “Blue Card” is issued by a Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Club as proof that you have insurance in place that meets the liability requirements of conventions including the 1992 Civil Liability Convention, the Bunkers Convention and the Wreck Removal Convention. If you’re not insured by a P&I Club, your insurer should provide proof that you have insurance or other financial guarantee in place as required by the relevant convention (like the Bunkers Convention or the Civil Liability Convention).
Your Blue Card (or proof of insurance) must include the following information. This information must match Transport Canada’s Vessel Registry exactly:
- vessel name
- official number
- IMO number (if applicable)
- gross tonnage
- port of registry
- name and address of insurance company
- duration of insurance
If your Blue Card doesn’t match the vessel registry exactly, there will be delays in processing your request.
International vessels
You must upload 2 documents for each vessel on your application:
- a Certificate of Documentation (COD) to prove vessel registration; and a Blue Card that proves you have sufficient insurance
If your insurance company gave you a Blue Card that covers multiple vessels, you can upload a single Blue Card.
Your Blue Card must include the following information. This information must match the Certificate of Documentation exactly:
- vessel name
- official number
- IMO number (if applicable)
- gross tonnage
- port of registry
- name and address of registered owner
- name and address of insurance company
- duration of insurance
A Certificate of Documentation (COD) must include the:
- vessel name
- official number
- IMO number (if applicable)
- gross tonnage
- date of issuance
- name and address of registered owner
If the Blue Card doesn’t match the Certificate of Documentation exactly, there will be delays in processing your request.
Don’t have a blue card?
Your insurance company should be able to give you proof that insurance or some other financial guarantee is in place.