British Columbia is Canada's gateway to the Pacific. West coast ports support a large shipping industry through ice-free, deep-water ports. Transport Canada helps ensure the safe operation of commercial shipping by certifying officers and crews on Canadian ships and inspecting foreign flag vessels entering our waters to make sure they are in compliance with strict safety and anti-pollution standards. Transport Canada also regulates passenger vessel safety in British Columbia, from small whale-watching boats to large ships like B.C. Ferries.

The province's rugged 29,000 kilometre coastline is home to one of Canada’s largest recreational boating communities and thriving fishing and marine tourism industries. The Office of Boating Safety is responsible for promoting safe boating for recreational boaters, fisherman and commercial operators.

Transport Canada is responsible for creating and enforcing regulations, such as the Canada Shipping Act to ensure safe and environmentally responsible commercial marine operations, and the Canada Marine Act, to oversee Canada's ports. The Port of Vancouver is Canada's busiest, handling over 70 million tonnes of cargo annually, and the Port of Prince Rupert offers North America's shortest and most efficient land-sea route to Asian markets.

Transport Canada’s marine services (e.g., certification and examination of officers and crews, marine occupational health and safety, ship registry, etc.) can be accessed through our Transport Canada Centres in Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, Vancouver, and Victoria.

In accordance with the federal government's National Marine Policy, Transport Canada is transferring ownership of its regional/local ports to local interests.

For more information about the Office of Boating Safety, please contact:

For more information about Marine Safety, please contact:

For more information about Harbours and Ports, please contact:

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