Interim pilotage rules for Pacific Area 2

Summary#

The government published Interim Order No. 2 Respecting Area 2 of the Pacific Pilotage Authority Region under the Pilotage Act. Made by Chrystia Freeland on May 1, 2025, it adjusts which ships must take a pilot in a defined part of the Pacific Pilotage Authority’s waters and adds a small paperwork change; the order is temporary and ends after 30 days.

What it does#

• Extends the compulsory-pilotage definition for Area 2 of the Pacific Pilotage Authority region to include a specific polygon of coastal waters (the order lists the exact latitude/longitude points).
• Changes which ships must take a compulsory pilot in that extended area: only laden crude oil tankers with a summer deadweight tonnage of 40,000 or more are now subject to compulsory pilotage there.
• Requires that the notification ship operators must provide before entering the area must say what type of cargo is on board (in addition to the existing required information).
• Repeals the earlier interim order made on May 1, 2024, and this current interim order automatically expires 30 days after it was made.

Who's affected#

• Operators and owners of crude oil tankers planning to navigate in the affected part of Area 2 — especially vessels carrying cargo and meeting the 40,000 summer deadweight threshold.
• Marine pilots and the Pacific Pilotage Authority, since the scope of compulsory pilotage and paperwork is being changed.
• Port and harbour managers, ship agents, and emergency response planners who monitor ship traffic and cargo types in the area.
• The notice does not spell out impacts on other vessel types; if you operate a different kind of ship in that area, the effect is unclear from the text.

Why it matters#

• The rule changes who must take a local pilot in these coastal waters. That affects safety on the water, scheduling, and costs for affected tankers.
• Requiring the cargo type in advance gives local authorities and responders clearer information about potential risks before a ship arrives.
• Because this is an interim order that ends after 30 days, the change is short-term and likely responds to an urgent safety or environmental concern; it may be replaced, extended, or made permanent later.