Registration of Vessels

Overview

Nine regional offices located across Canada deliver the national vessel registration program and process routine applications. An office in the National Capital Region provides functional direction.

Registration is a title system for ownership of vessels. It is similar in nature to title systems used for land registry. Registration allows for name approval, mortgage registration and proof of ownership except in the case of a vessel registered in the Small Vessel Register. Every vessel other than pleasure craft must be registered.

There are approximately 48,000 vessels on register, totaling 4.7 million gross tons.

Owners of pleasure craft not required by law to be registered may do so on a voluntary basis.

To assist you in registering your vessel, or processing a change of ownership or address, please refer to the following:

• Change of ownership/address
• Procedures for registration in Canada
• Vessel Registration Forms
• Vessels Registry Fees Tariff
• Tonnage Measurements
• List of Ports of Registry

In addition, you may wish to refer to the following for further information on vessel registration:

• Vessel Registration Query System - This system allows you to browse and create queries on vessels currently registered in Canada.
• List of Ships - This publication contains details on vessels registered in Canada. The latest published edition of the List of Ships is the 2003 edition, which is still available for purchase.
• Ship Statistics
• Registration of Small Commercial Vessels
• Frequently asked questions on ship registration