Non-Canadian commercial vessels that enter Canadian waters could be subject to Port State Control inspection.
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Port State Control
Port State Control (PSC) is a ship inspection program whereby foreign vessels entering a sovereign state's waters are boarded and inspected to verify compliance with various major international maritime conventions. These inspections aim to ensure safety at sea, protect the marine environment, and uphold working and living conditions for seafarers.
PSC programs are regional in nature. Several countries common waters group together under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU is designed to ensure that vessels trading in the region are not substandard.
As of 2022, the foreign tanker inspections program has been integrated into Canada’s PSC Program following the end of the previous World-Class Tanker Safety System. Under PSC, foreign tanker inspections may include operational control and crew proficiency checks. Transport Canada has transitioned from mandatory annual inspections to a risk-based approach determined by individual vessel risk profiles.
Follow-up inspection of a foreign vessel
Learn how to request a follow-up inspection for foreign vessels to rescind a detention order or mark a deficiency, noted under the Port State Control program, as rectified.
Canada's international memberships
Canada has signed two MOUs: the Paris MOU and the Tokyo MOU.
- Canada became an associate member of the Paris MOU in 1988 and was accepted as a full member in 1994 (the first non-European member)
- Canada was a driving force in the creation of the Tokyo MOU and has been a member since its inception in 1993
Canada attends and occasionally hosts, committees, technical meetings, and seminars of the Paris and Tokyo MOU on Port State Control. Canada has also hosted three Joint Ministerial Conference of the Paris and Tokyo MOUs.
Port State Control Annual reports
Port State Control officers inspect foreign vessels when they enter Canadian waters to make sure they comply with various international maritime conventions. The Program's goal is to eliminate the operation of sub-standard ships and help eliminate the threat that they pose to life, property, and the marine environment.
The Marine Safety Port State Control annual report (TP 13595) records and analyzes the results of Canada's port state control inspections. Transport Canada publishes the Marine Safety Port State Control Annual Report (TP 13595), which:
- Summarizes inspection outcomes,
- Provides statistical analysis and trends, and
- Highlights Canada’s contribution to regional PSC efforts
The regional Paris MOU and Tokyo MOU reports, including results from Port state control inspections in Canada, are published annually and are available online through their publication sections:
Inspection and ship detention list
Ship inspections are carried out at all major Canadian ports by Marine Safety inspectors. An inspection database and a list of detained ships are maintained, and the same information is provided to the two MOU databases.
Contact Marine Safety for information on Canada's Port State Control system
Address:
Transport Canada
Marine Safety (AMSEA)
330 Sparks Street, 10th Floor
Tower C, Place de Ville
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0N5
Email: TC.PSCCanada-CNEPCanada.TC@tc.gc.ca
Telephone: 1-855-859-3123 (Toll Free) or 613-991-3135 (Local)
Teletypewriter/TDD: 1-888-675-6863