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Consultation has concluded
Transport Canada’s Vessel Registry includes information on more than 46,000 vessels in the Large Vessel Register and over 25,000 vessels in the Small Vessel Register.
As we continue modernizing our services, we want your feedback on changes we’re proposing for our vessel registry services in 2023.
Transport Canada’s vessel registration services
We offer about 30 vessel registry services. Unless they’re exempt, Canadian commercial and government-owned vessels must be registered.
Registering a vessel gives owners:
a proof of ownership (legal title)
the right to fly the Canadian flag
a unique vessel name, official number, port of registry
the right to use a vessel as security for a marine mortgage
We want to make changes so that vessel owners are required to renew or update their vessel registry information every few years. This will make it easier for us to track down the owners of vessels that have been wrecked or abandoned, and help first responders in emergencies.
As well, most of the fees have been the same for 20 years. Our proposal will change things so that the people who receive our services pay a bigger share of the costs, instead of taxpayers. The proposed fees range from $20 to $470.The new fees are expected to come into effect in winter 2023.
Large Vessel Register
Vessels should be registered in the Large Vessel Register if they:
are commercial or government-owned and more than 15 gross tonnage
have marine mortgages registered with Transport Canada and/or an approved vessel name
are under construction and owners want to temporarily record them in the register
You can register pleasure craft to have an approved vessel name, official number and port of registry, or to make international travel easier.
We want to:
change the renewal process for the Large Vessel Register to:
require users to proactively renew their registrations, instead of Transport Canada automatically renewing registrations
extend the amount of time a registration is valid, from three years to five years
add a fee to renew registrations
add fees for some services that are currently free
increase existing fees for some services
in some cases, lower or eliminate fees
adjust fees every year on April 1, based on the Consumer Price Index
update our service standards
Small Vessel Register
Vessels should be registered in the Small Vessel Register if they:
are not a pleasure craft
have a gross tonnage of 15 or less and are powered by a motor of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more
don’t have a mortgage or approved name with Transport Canada
are a commercial or government-owned vessel, barge, or river raft
We want to:
add fees for some services that are currently free
increase existing fees for some services
maintain a discount for registering groups of vessels and fleets of vessels but increase the fees
adjust fees every year on April 1, based on the Consumer Price Index
Choose “Register” at the top of the page, and join the discussion under the “Have Your Say” tab
You can also submit your comments in a Word or PDF document through the “Submissions” tab. You can upload more than one document
Transport Canada’s Vessel Registry includes information on more than 46,000 vessels in the Large Vessel Register and over 25,000 vessels in the Small Vessel Register.
As we continue modernizing our services, we want your feedback on changes we’re proposing for our vessel registry services in 2023.
Transport Canada’s vessel registration services
We offer about 30 vessel registry services. Unless they’re exempt, Canadian commercial and government-owned vessels must be registered.
Registering a vessel gives owners:
a proof of ownership (legal title)
the right to fly the Canadian flag
a unique vessel name, official number, port of registry
the right to use a vessel as security for a marine mortgage
We want to make changes so that vessel owners are required to renew or update their vessel registry information every few years. This will make it easier for us to track down the owners of vessels that have been wrecked or abandoned, and help first responders in emergencies.
As well, most of the fees have been the same for 20 years. Our proposal will change things so that the people who receive our services pay a bigger share of the costs, instead of taxpayers. The proposed fees range from $20 to $470.The new fees are expected to come into effect in winter 2023.
Large Vessel Register
Vessels should be registered in the Large Vessel Register if they:
are commercial or government-owned and more than 15 gross tonnage
have marine mortgages registered with Transport Canada and/or an approved vessel name
are under construction and owners want to temporarily record them in the register
You can register pleasure craft to have an approved vessel name, official number and port of registry, or to make international travel easier.
We want to:
change the renewal process for the Large Vessel Register to:
require users to proactively renew their registrations, instead of Transport Canada automatically renewing registrations
extend the amount of time a registration is valid, from three years to five years
add a fee to renew registrations
add fees for some services that are currently free
increase existing fees for some services
in some cases, lower or eliminate fees
adjust fees every year on April 1, based on the Consumer Price Index
update our service standards
Small Vessel Register
Vessels should be registered in the Small Vessel Register if they:
are not a pleasure craft
have a gross tonnage of 15 or less and are powered by a motor of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more
don’t have a mortgage or approved name with Transport Canada
are a commercial or government-owned vessel, barge, or river raft
We want to:
add fees for some services that are currently free
increase existing fees for some services
maintain a discount for registering groups of vessels and fleets of vessels but increase the fees
adjust fees every year on April 1, based on the Consumer Price Index
