Loading or unloading of ammonium nitrate based fertilizer in a Canadian port

On this page

• Policy objective
• Policy statement
• Scope
• Authority
• Responsibility
• Related documents
• Background
• Definitions
• Date of application
• Date for review or expiry
• Reference
• Keywords

1 Policy objective

1.1 The purpose of this policy is to allow loading and/or unloading of bulk Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer (ANBF) at Canadian ports, in excess of the limit of 10,000 tonnes specified in paragraph 114.(1)(b) of the Cargo, Fumigation and Tackle Regulations (CFTR).

2 Policy statement

2.1 Transport Canada Marine Safety (TCMSS), on a case-by case basis, would review the applications by ports authorities to load onto/unload from vessels more than 10,000 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer.

3 Scope

3.1 This policy applies to port authority which have the capacity to safely handle more than 10,000 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer.

3.2 Due to associated fire and explosion risks, a risk assessment and emergency preparedness procedures are required to be submitted for review, until amendments can be made to the CFTR to delete section 114. (1)(b).

3.3 This policy is applicable only to Group C AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER as defined in IMSBC Code.

3.4 This policy is not applicable to the handling of AMMONIUM NITRATE UN 1942 and Group B AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER’s.

4 Authority

4.1 This policy falls under the authority of the Director General, Marine Safety and Security and the Marine Safety and Security Executive Committee.

5 Responsibility

5.1 The Executive Director, Navigation Safety and Environmental Programs, is accountable for the development, implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of this policy.

5.2 The Manager Port State Inspections and Cargoes is responsible for the development, maintenance and continuous reviewing and amending this policy as required.

5.3 Regional Directors are responsible for ensuring the implementation of the policy.

5.4 Comments or queries related to this policy and its application should be addressed to:

Transport Canada
Marine Safety and Security
Manager
Port State Inspection and Cargoes
Tower C Place de Ville 10th floor
330 Sparks St
Ottawa ON K1A 0N8
Tel: 613‑991‑3143
marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca

6 Related documents

6.1 The Canada Shipping Act, 2001, paragraph 11(2) (e).

6.2 The Cargo, Fumigation and Tackle Regulations, paragraph 114 (1) (b).

7 Background

7.1 Prior to the coming into force of the CFTR on July 1st, 2007, there was no regulatory requirements setting quantity limit on loading onto/unloading from vessels of Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer (ANBF) carried in bulk.

7.2 Handling of Ammonium Nitrate in Bulk has been allowed in Canadian ports through practices and procedures established by the Canada Port Corporation (CPC).

7.3 The Canadian Port Corporation published a document entitled “Practices for the handling and movement of Ammonium Nitrate (A.N.) through Canada Ports Corporation (CPC) Ports”. This publication set a maximum limit allowed of 10,000 tons.

7.4 With the coming into force of the Canada Marine Act, the Canada Port Corporation Act was repealed and the Canada Port Corporation is dissolved.

7.5 During the process of the regulatory reform to bring the CSA, 2001 into force prior to 2007, it was decided to include the maximum quantity allowed in the document titled “Practices for the Handling and Movement of Ammonium Nitrate (A.N.) Through Canada Ports Corporation (CPC) Ports” into the CFTR.

7.6 The maximum quantity of Ammonium Nitrate allowed in the CPC Practices was 10,000 tonnes which was extended to include Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizers and added as paragraph 114.(1)(b) of the CFTR.

7.7 All Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizers are subject to globally accepted test protocols to determine their chemical properties and risk hazards.

7.8 Fertilizer Canada ships about 150,000 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer annually in Canada, major exports are from The Netherlands and Germany for local domestic use with an increase in shipments during the fall season.

7.9 As currently required in CFTR the 10,000 limit on loading onto/unloading from vessels of Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer dissuades ship owners from using all available space on a vessel and hence loss of revenue.

7.10 Fertilizer Canada and the port authority of Montreal and Trois-Rivières respectively approached TCMSS with a request to increase the quantity of Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer handled at these ports.

8 Definitions

8.1 Solid bulk cargo means any cargo, other than liquid or gas, consisting of particles, granules or any larger pieces of material generally uniform in composition, which is loaded directly into the cargo spaces of a ship without any intermediate form of containment.

8.2 Port authority has the same meaning as in the Canada Marine Act.

9 Date of application

9.1 This policy becomes effective on 23/09/2019

10 Date for review or expiry

10.1 This policy will be reviewed twelve (12) months from the effective date and every five (5) years thereafter.

11 Reference

11.1 The English version of this document is saved under reference number (14942386). The applied naming convention is (PUBLICATION – TP 13585 – POLICY - LOADING OR UNLOADING OF AMMONIUM NITRATE BASED FERTILIZER IN A CANADIAN PORT).

11.2 La version française du présent document porte le numéro de référence (14942666). La règle d'affectation des noms est (PUBLICATION – TP 13585 – POLITIQUE - DÉCHARGEMENT D’ENGRAIS AU NITRATE D’AMMONIUM DANS UN PORT CANADIEN).

11.3 This is the first approved and finalized revision of the English version of this document.

12 Keywords

• Ammonium Nitrate
• Fertilizer
• Unload/Load
• Port or Ports