Transport Canada launches national trial for remote vessel inspections

Transport Canada has issued Ship Safety Bulletin No. 23/2024 regarding the launch of a national trial for remote inspections of vessels loading grain and concentrates in bulk.

This trial will run from September 2024 to September 2025 and is part of Transport Canada's broader efforts to modernize the marine inspection process. The primary goal is to determine whether remote inspections can be as effective as physical, in-person inspections in ensuring compliance with the Cargo, Fumigation, and Tackle Regulations (CFTR), which are key to safeguarding maritime safety.

Purpose of the Trial

The trial seeks to gather data that will enable Transport Canada to compare the efficacy and efficiency of remote versus physical inspections. Both methods will be tested on a select number of vessels, allowing for direct comparisons. The remote inspections will focus on "Readiness to Load" (RTL) inspections, which are required before vessels can load grain or concentrates in bulk for export from Canadian ports.

The comparison between remote and physical inspections is crucial because these inspections are essential for minimizing risks associated with bulk cargo like grain and concentrates. These types of cargoes have historically posed higher risks due to their specific characteristics and the large volumes being exported, which makes ensuring safe loading, stowing, and securing of these materials critical.

Regulatory Context and Safety Concerns

Under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001), the CFTR governs the safe loading and handling of high-risk cargoes like grain and concentrates. These regulations were introduced after a series of significant maritime accidents involving vessels that left Canadian ports in the 1990s. Following those incidents, a mandatory inspection program was established to ensure that vessels carrying such cargoes adhered to strict safety protocols. The trial is a step toward modernizing these inspections, which remain essential for protecting vessels, crews, cargo, and the environment from potential hazards.

How the Trial Will Work

The trial will focus on vessels loading grain and concentrates in bulk at Canadian ports, and it will test remote inspections alongside traditional, in-person inspections. A Marine Safety Inspector (MSI) will guide the process, and Masters of vessels are expected to play a critical role in ensuring compliance. Masters must prepare their vessels according to a provided checklist and supply required documentation, photos, and videos, through their Agent, to facilitate the remote inspection. The inspection cannot begin until the necessary materials are submitted to the MSI.

Transport Canada assures the maritime community that remote inspections should not require more time than physical inspections, provided the Masters comply with the instructions and requests from the MSIs. A new set of guidelines has been issued (Marine Safety Transport Publications TP 15611, 15612, and 15613) to help Masters prepare their vessels efficiently and ensure a streamlined inspection process.

Potential Impact of the Trial

The results of this trial will have far-reaching implications for the future of marine safety in Canada. If remote inspections prove to be as effective as traditional inspections, Transport Canada may integrate this method into their broader inspection protocols. This could lead to significant time and cost savings, while maintaining or even improving the current standards of safety for vessels and cargo. It would also support Canada's broader goals of modernizing the marine sector and enhancing efficiency without compromising on safety.

Remote inspections could offer several advantages, including increased flexibility, reduced logistical challenges, and the ability to conduct inspections more swiftly. However, the trial must first demonstrate that remote methods can match the effectiveness of physical inspections in ensuring compliance with the CFTR and protecting vessels from the risks associated with carrying high-risk cargoes.

Importance for Stakeholders

For ship Masters, vessel owners, and other stakeholders in the marine industry, this trial represents a significant opportunity to contribute to the evolution of marine safety practices in Canada. By participating in the trial and following the guidelines issued by Transport Canada, stakeholders can help shape the future of marine inspections and potentially reduce the burden of physical inspections while maintaining safety.

Transport Canada has emphasized that the collaboration of all parties—vessel Masters, Agents, and Marine Safety Inspectors—will be critical to the trial's success. The agency is committed to ongoing communication and cooperation with its partners throughout the process.

National trial of remote inspections for grain and concentrates in bulk