St Lawrence seaways authority issued notice no 05 of 2024 on 11th March 2024 and The following Seaway Ship Inspection program for foreign ships will be implemented this 2024 navigation season.
- Enhanced Ship Inspections (ESI – physical ship inspection) by Seaway Ship Inspectors will be carried out once every two navigation seasons
- A self-inspection may be permitted in the interim season, subject to satisfactory performance
- Passenger ships will be subject to an annual ship inspection
- The ESI or self-inspection is required on the first transit of the navigation season
The following outlines the revised inspection process:
1. Agents must provide to the Seaway Ship Inspectors by email (email:
inspecteursvm@seaway.ca and to vtc@dot.gov) an initial notice of inspection of 120 hours (5 days) prior to the ship’s arrival at CIP 2.
2. Seaway Ship Inspectors will inform the ship’s agent whether an ESI or a self-inspection is required.
3. For an Enhanced Ship Inspection (ESI – physical inspection):
a) Once confirmed that an ESI is required the Ship’s agent is to provide a 24 hour notice on ship arrival to the Seaway Ship Inspectors (e-mail: inspecteursvm@seaway.ca and to vtc@dot.gov) for inspection purposes.
b) Ship’s agent to provide a 2 hour confirmation to SLSMC’s Operations Control Centre (ext. 2232).
c) ESI – physical inspection will be conducted between 06:00 and 22:00
d) ESI-physical inspection for Quebec City will be based on Ship Inspector availability.
e) ESI-physical inspection for new ships will be done during daylight only hours.
4. For Self-Inspections:
a) Ship to complete a Ship Self-Inspection Report and submit electronically to inspecteursvm@seaway.ca and to vtc@dot.gov. (Report and directions to complete report are on website, under Forms).
b) The Ship Self-Inspection Report form must be filled out and returned to SLSMC 96 hours prior to arrival at CIP 2. Upon successful review of the self-inspection report, the ship will be granted direct entry into St. Lambert Lock.
c) For foreign ships subject to self-inspection and direct entry only, ballast water inspections will still occur, however they will either take place between St. Lambert Lock and Cote St. Catherine Lock, between Snell Lock and Eisenhower Lock, or through other administrative measures.
d) Ships equipped with landing booms and intending to use them shall send the following information together with the completed self-inspection report:
i. Confirmation that ship’s crew is adequately trained in the use of landing booms
ii. Latest load test certificate
iii. Copy of landing booms record of maintenance
e) In addition, ships with deck cargo shall provide stowage plan showing maximum height of deck cargo and visibility calculations confirming visibility meets IMO/SOLAS regulations.