Coming into force of the Vessel Traffic Services Zones Regulations (SOR/2025-275) - SSB No.: 06/2026

Purpose

This bulletin outlines the new Vessel Traffic Services Zones Regulations (the Regulations), which were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on December 31, 2025, and entered into force on March 31, 2026.

Scope

The Regulations apply to the following vessels that are about to enter, leave or proceed within a vessel traffic services (VTS) Zone:

1. (a) vessels of 300 gross tonnage or more;
2. (b) vessels that are engaged in towing or pushing another vessel, if the combined gross tonnage is 500 gross tonnage or more; and
3. (c) vessels that are carrying as cargo a pollutant or dangerous goods, or vessels that are engaged in towing or pushing such a vessel.

Background

The new Regulations repeal and consolidate the existing:

• Vessel Traffic Services Zones Regulations (VTSZR);
• Eastern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone Regulations (ECAREG); and
• Northern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone Regulations (NORDREG).

Transport Canada has consolidated all three separate sets of vessel traffic services regulations into one, aligning vessel reporting on all three of Canada’s coasts with international standards set out by the International Maritime Organization. In Canada, vessel traffic services are provided by the Canadian Coast Guard through regional Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centres (MCTS), though the regulatory framework for the Regulations is overseen by Transport Canada.

What you need to know

The Regulations will improve alignment with international reporting standards and strengthen Canada’s marine safety system by:

• Incorporating by reference the Canadian Coast Guard’s Radio Aids to Marine Navigation publication, thus enabling a more agile reporting system capable of quickly introducing urgent or time-sensitive reporting requirements as set out within Part 3;
• Lowering mandatory reporting threshold requirements to all vessels of 300 gross tonnage or more entering Canadian waters, therefore fully aligning with the standards established by the International Maritime Organization;
• Introducing a mandatory 24-hour pre-arrival notice requirement for all prescribed vessels seeking to enter Canadian waters, including the Arctic;
• Improving regulatory transparency, modernizing Canada’s regulatory system, and reducing the overall administrative burden on Canadians; and
• Introducing a new Administration Monetary Penalty (AMP) regime:

Contact

If you have questions about the Regulations, please contact Transport Canada Marine Safety & Security at marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca.

Keywords:

1. Vessel Traffic Services
2. Radio Aids to Marine Navigation
3. International Maritime Organization

Questions concerning this Bulletin should be addressed to:

Contact us at: Email: marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca or Telephone: 1-855-859-3123 (Toll Free).