Changes in Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Effective Monday, January 26, Marine Atlantic will be updating its approach to the transportation of some dangerous goods. These changes include the addition of one weekly restricted crossing and updates that will see Category D and E goods being transported by open booking only.
These changes are being implemented with the goal of improving the movement of these commodities. There will be ongoing evaluation of these changes to determine the effectiveness with the potential of making additional adjustments as required to improve the effectiveness of moving commercial customers.
Additional R sailings
Effective immediately until March 31, 2026, one additional departure from each port weekly will be designated as restricted. These departures include:
- North Sydney to Port aux Basques on Fridays at 11:45.
- Port aux Basques to North Sydney on Wednesdays at 11:45.
The full commercial schedule, including all restricted crossings, is available here.
Commodities in Categories D and E transported via open booking
Effective Monday, January 26, all dangerous goods in IMDG stowage Categories D and E will only be accepted as open bookings at the gate. Please be advised that any existing reservations (for travel after the effective date of this change) will be cancelled with full payments refunded.
Commodities in Class 1
Units transporting Class 1 goods will be required to make an advance reservation before arrival at a terminal. Class 1 goods will not be accepted at the gate as open bookings.
Commodities in Category C
Goods in IMDG stowage Category C (requiring open deck space but acceptable for transportation on regular passenger sailings) will continue to be transported via advance reservation or via opening booking. These units will not be transported on restricted (R/RC/RR) departures.
Transportation of empty dangerous goods units
As per regulation, units such as tankers utilized to move dangerous goods must be transported following the same regulations regardless of whether the unit is full or empty. However, purging an empty unit enables Marine Atlantic to transport it as non-restricted. Therefore, purging applicable empty units prior to transportation where possible will increase flexibility for transportation and increase the probability of earlier carriage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason for changes to the carriage of some commercial goods?
What is the reason for changes to the carriage of some commercial goods?
We have been monitoring the carriage of dangerous commodities and determined that updating procedures will likely improve timely transportation. As an organization, we are committed to improvements that enhance service for our customers.
What rules does Marine Atlantic follow when transporting dangerous goods?
What rules does Marine Atlantic follow when transporting dangerous goods?
The carriage of dangerous goods is subject to a variety of regulations designed to facilitate the safe transportation of these items. These include the Transport of Dangerous Goods regulations, applicable sections of the International Marine Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code, as well as other requirements outlined by Class Society and Transport Canada.
What factors contributed to this change in carriage of some dangerous goods cargo?
What factors contributed to this change in carriage of some dangerous goods cargo?
Our goal is to provide safe and efficient transportation for our customers. We actively monitor the time it takes to transport commercial customers and determined that we need to make changes to improve efficiency for dangerous goods cargos.
There are some things beyond our control, so we are focusing on aspects that we can change. During the fall and winter months there are frequent adverse weather events resulting in cancelled crossings. These cancellations may result in reserved units no longer being able to be accommodated as planned due to the total number being too great or combination of products not being compatible. Our vessels also have different capacity configurations for the transport of dangerous goods.
Following a review of options, and limiting overall customer impact, it was determined that transporting these commodities as open bookings provided the best opportunity for efficient transportation. This will allow our operations teams to maximize the number of units that can be accommodated on each sailing in a manner fair to all customers.
Are there any changes to transporting livestock?
Are there any changes to transporting livestock?
Yes, units transporting livestock will no longer be booked to restricted crossings. Units transporting livestock will continue to be reserved and follow the same procedures on non-restricted crossings.
How does each vessel in Marine Atlantic’s fleet differ when transporting dangerous goods?
How does each vessel in Marine Atlantic’s fleet differ when transporting dangerous goods?
Each vessel has a maximum number of units that can be accommodated on the open deck. This maximum number may also be impacted by other factors including the size of the unit, type of units being transported on the crossing, and segregation requirements. Here is an overview of each vessel:
| Open deck spaces | Other considerations | |
| Ala'suinu | Up to 7 units | Goods in several other categories must also be placed on the open deck, including Classes 2.1, 2.3, and 5.2, as well as some commodities in Classes 2, 6.1, 8, and 9. |
| Blue Puttees / Highlanders | Up to 21 units | Reefer units must be placed on the upper deck. |
| Leif Ericson | Up to 5 units |
Why does the Ala’suinu have different requirements than other vessels in the fleet?
Why does the Ala’suinu have different requirements than other vessels in the fleet?
Vessels are required to meet a variety of regulations. These regulations are constantly being updated and can be applied to vessels based on various factors, including the year of construction. Since the Ala’suinu is newer than the other vessels in the fleet, different regulations apply.
