As part of our ongoing efforts to provide customers with efficient transportation of commodities, there will be further adjustments to the transportation of some dangerous goods. 

Commodities in Categories D and E transported via advance or open bookings 
Reservations for bulk commodities in IMDG stowage categories D and E will resume on Friday, February 6. All dangerous goods in categories D and E, including bulk shipments, are also accepted as open bookings at the gate. 

These changes are being implemented based upon the current published sailing schedule and will remain in effect until June 17, 2026. Effective June 18, all dangerous goods in IMDG stowage Categories D and E will only be accepted as an open booking at the gate. This includes all bulk commodities. 

Should there be an operational need to revert to open bookings only prior to June 17, Marine Atlantic will strive to provide as much advance notice as possible. 

There are also some changes to the arrival processes for customers: 

• Customers may request advance reservations up to 6 hours before a scheduled departure.
• Reserved units will be accepted for check-in at terminals no less than 6 hours but no more than 36 hours prior to their scheduled departures. 

Standard booking practices will continue to apply, including amendment and cancellation fees. Changes and cancellations to reservations may be made up to 36 hours prior to scheduled departure without fee. Changes and cancellations within 36 hours are subject to late notice fees. Booked units that do not arrive for their departure are also subject to fees. 

Additional R sailings 
Until March 31, 2026, additional weekly departures from each port have been designated as restricted. The full commercial schedule, including all restricted crossings, is available here. 

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. 

Class 1 goods are accepted for check-in at terminals no less than 6 hours but no more than 36 hours prior to their reserved sailing. 

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. 

Goods travelling on an advance booking are accepted for check-in at terminals no less than 6 hours but no more than 36 hours prior to their reserved sailing. 

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.