Rule2026-05161
Seaway Regulations and Rules: Periodic Update, Various Categories
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 17, 2026
Effective
March 17, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentGreat Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
Abstract
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under agreement with SLSMC, GLS is amending the joint regulations by updating the regulations and rules in various categories. These changes are to clarify existing requirements in the regulations.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12690-12693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05161]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
33 CFR Part 401
RIN 2135-AA59
Seaway Regulations and Rules: Periodic Update, Various Categories
AGENCY: Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
(GLS) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of
Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently
administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and
Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under
agreement with SLSMC, GLS is amending the joint regulations by updating
the regulations and rules in various categories. These changes are to
clarify existing requirements in the regulations.
DATES: This rule is effective on March 17, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Docket: For access to the docket to read background
documents or comments received, go to <a href="https://www.Regulations.gov">https://www.Regulations.gov</a>; or
in person at the Docket Operations Office; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Suite W58-213,
[[Page 12691]]
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna O'Berry, Chief Counsel, Great
Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, 1200 New Jersey Ave.
SE, Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-6136.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway
Development Corporation (GLS) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management
Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly
publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations
and Rules (Practices and Procedures in Canada) in their respective
jurisdictions. Under agreement with SLSMC, GLS is amending the joint
regulations by updating the Regulations and Rules in various
categories. The changes update the following sections of the
Regulations and Rules: Condition of Vessels, Seaway Navigation,
Dangerous Cargo, Toll Assessment and Payment, and Information and
Reports. These changes are to clarify existing requirements in the
regulations.
Regulatory Notices: Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the
electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment,
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit
<a href="https://www.Regulations.gov">https://www.Regulations.gov</a>.
The joint regulations will become effective in Canada in 2026 prior
to the opening of the Seaway. For consistency, because these are joint
regulations under international agreement, and to avoid confusion among
users of the Seaway, GLS finds that there is good cause to make the
U.S. version of the amendments effective upon the date of publication
to ensure an effective date prior to the Seaway opening.
Regulatory Evaluation
This regulation involves a foreign affairs function of the United
States and therefore, Executive Order 12866 does not apply and
evaluation under the Department of Transportation's Regulatory Policies
and Procedures is not required.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Determination
I certify that this regulation will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The St. Lawrence
Seaway Regulations and Rules primarily relate to commercial users of
the Seaway, the vast majority of whom are foreign vessel operators.
Therefore, any resulting costs will be borne mostly by foreign vessels.
Environmental Impact
This regulation does not require an environmental impact statement
under the National Environmental Policy Act (49 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.)
because it is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the
quality of the human environment.
Federalism
GLS has analyzed this rule under the principles and criteria in
Executive Order 13132, dated August 4, 1999, and has determined that
this proposal does not have sufficient federalism implications to
warrant a Federalism Assessment.
Unfunded Mandates
GLS has analyzed this rule under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4, 109 Stat. 48) and determined that it
does not impose unfunded mandates on State, local, and tribal
governments and the private sector requiring a written statement of
economic and regulatory alternatives.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This regulation has been analyzed under the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 and does not contain new or modified information collection
requirements subject to the Office of Management and Budget review.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 401
Hazardous materials transportation, Navigation (water), Penalties,
Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vessels, Waterways.
Accordingly, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development
Corporation is amending 33 CFR part 401 as follows:
PART 401--SEAWAY REGULATIONS AND RULES
Subpart A--Regulations
0
1. The authority citation for subpart A of part 401 continues to read
as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 983(a) and 984(a)(4), as amended; 49 CFR
1.101, unless otherwise noted.
0
2. Amend Sec. 401.9 by revising paragraph (a) introductory text to
read as follows:
Sec. 401.9 Radio telephone and navigation equipment.
(a) Self-propelled vessels, other than pleasure craft of less than
20.0 m in overall length, shall be equipped with two VHF (very high
frequency) radios.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec. 401.29 by revising paragraphs (c) introductory text and
(c)(4) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.29 Maximum draft.
* * * * *
(c) Any vessel will be permitted to load at an increased draught of
not more than 7 cm above the maximum permissible draught in effect
(also known as DIS draught) as prescribed under paragraph (b) of this
section if it is equipped with a Draught Information System (DIS) and
meets the following:
* * * * *
(4) A vessel already approved to use DIS to transit the Seaway and
intending to use it must email a completed DIS Confirmation Checklist
(found at <a href="http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com">www.greatlakes-seaway.com</a>) to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#53203f203e303e32213a3d36203621253a3036201320363224322a7d3032"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="50233c233d333d3122393e352335222639333523102335312731297e3331">[email protected]</span></a>
once per navigation season, at least 96 hours prior to its initial
transit of the navigation season.
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec. 401.34 by adding paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.34 Vessels in tow.
* * * * *
(c) Every vessel in tow must be adequately manned for transit in
the Seaway.
0
5. Amend Sec. 401.35 by adding paragraph (b)(2) to read as follows:
Sec. 401.35 Navigation underway.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(2) For vessels equipped with the ability to shift upward the main
engine limitation from the engine control station (e.g., increase
limitation button), all members of the bridge team must be aware of
this functionality and be capable of activating it on request or if
needed. The bridge team shall also ensure that the pilot onboard is
advised of the system's existence and function.
* * * * *
0
6. Amend Sec. 401.37 by:
0
a. Adding paragraph (c); and
0
b. Removing the parenthetical authority at the end of the section.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 401.37 Mooring at tie-up walls.
* * * * *
(c) Should the situation arise where a tie up at an approach wall
is provided by Seaway personnel at the Canadian
[[Page 12692]]
Locks, synthetic mooring lines should be used.
0
7. Amend Sec. 401.40 by:
0
a. Redesignating paragraph (d) as paragraph (e);
0
b. Adding a new paragraph (d); and
0
c. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the
section.
The addition reads as follows:
Sec. 401.40 Entering, exiting or position in lock.
* * * * *
(d) Vessel Self Spotting (VSS) displays at the Canadian Locks are
meant to assist vessels to spot positions of the vessel's stem in the
lock. The VSS display does not relive the Master of the responsibility
of ensuring that the vessel's stem does not pass the stop symbol marked
on the Lock wall as required in paragraph (a) of this section by using
its own spotting method such as visual sport by vessel's crew.
* * * * *
0
8. Amend Sec. 401.48 by:
0
a. Revising the table to the section; and
0
b. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the
section.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 401.48 Maximum draft.
* * * * *
Table 1 to Sec. 401.48
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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1................................. South Shore Canal:
(a)........................... Turning Basin No. 1--Opposite
Brossard.
(b)........................... Turning Basin No. 2--Immediately
below C[ocirc]te St. Catherine
Lock.
2................................. Welland Canal:
(a)........................... Turning Basin No. 1--Between Lock 7
and the Guard Gate Cut for vessels
up to 180 m in overall length.
(b)........................... Turning Basin No.2--Immediately
south of Port Robinson (mile 13).
(c)........................... Turning Basin No. 3--North of Lock
No. 8 for vessels up to 140 m in
overall length.
(d)........................... For vessels up to 80 m in overall
length:
(1)........................... North end of Wharf No. 1.
(2)........................... Tie-up wall above Lock 1.
(2)........................... Tie-up wall below Lock 2.
(4)........................... Wharf No. 9.
(5)........................... Between the southerly extremities of
Wharves 18-2 and 18-3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0
9. Revise Sec. 401.49 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.49 Dropping anchor or tying to canal bank.
Except in an emergency, no vessel shall drop anchor in any canal or
tie-up to any canal bank unless authorized to do so by the traffic
controller. If the anchor is dropped, the Master of the vessel shall
immediately report it to the nearest seaway station. Every anchor shall
be suitably rigged for immediate release, holding and efficient
retrieval.
0
10. Amend Sec. 401.73 by revising paragraphs (b) introductory text and
(b)(1) introductory text to read as follows:
Sec. 401.73 Cleaning tanks-hazardous cargo vessels.
* * * * *
(b) Acceptance of hot work. Before any hot work, defined as any
work that uses flame or that can produce a source of ignition, cutting
or welding, is carried out by any vessel on any designated St. Lawrence
Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) approach walls, Cote St.
Catherine wharf or wharves in the Welland Canal, a written request must
be sent to SLSMC, preferably 24 hours prior to the vessel's arrival on
SLSMC approach walls or wharves. The hot work shall not commence until
the hot work request is accepted and acknowledged by SLSMC Traffic
Control Centre.
(1) The SLSMC Traffic Control Centre will accept the request to
perform hot work under the following conditions:
* * * * *
0
11. Revise Sec. 401.74 to read as follows:
Sec. 401.74 Transit declarations.
(a) A Seaway e-business Transit Declaration (Cargo) shall be
completed and submitted to the Manager by the representative of a
vessel for each vessel that has an approved preclearance, except non-
cargo vessels, within fourteen (14) days after the vessel enters the
Seaway on any upbound ordown bound transit. The e-business Transit
Declaration must be filed directly on the St. Lawrence Seaway website
<a href="http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com">www.greatlakes-seaway.com</a> via e-business. The use of the Harmonized
System (HS Codes) and the UN Location Codes on the e-business Transit
Declaration is mandatory to identify cargo and ports respectively.
(b) The loaded or manifest weight of cargo shall be shown on the
Seaway e-business Transit Declaration, except in the case of petroleum
products where gallonage meters are not available at the point of
loading, in which case offloaded weights may be shown on the e-business
Transit Declaration.
(c) Where a vessel carried cargo to or from an overseas port, an
electronic copy of the cargo manifest, duly certified, shall be
submitted with the Seaway e-business Transit Declaration.
(d) A Weight-Scale Certificate or similar document issued in the
place of a cargo manifest or a bill of lading may be accepted in lieu
thereof.
(e) Where a submitted Seaway e-business Transit Declaration is
found to be inaccurate concerning the destination or cargo, the
representative shall immediately forward to the Manager a revision of
the submitted Declaration.
(f) Submitted Seaway e-business Transit Declarations shall be used
in assessing fees in accordance with the St. Lawrence Seaway Schedule
of Tolls, and fees invoices shall be forwarded to the representative or
its designated agent.
(g) Where government aid cargo is declared, appropriate Canadian or
U.S. customs form or a stamped and signed certification letter from the
U.S. or Canada Customs must accompany the e-business Transit
Declaration or notification must be made to the Manager.
0
12. Amend Sec. 401.79 by revising paragraphs (b) introductory text and
(b)(1), (2), (4), (5), and (7) and adding paragraph (b)(8) to read as
follows:
Sec. 401.79 Advance notice of arrival, vessels requiring inspection.
* * * * *
(b) For the Vessel Inspection Program:
(1) Foreign flagged vessels are subject to an Enhanced Ship
Inspections (ESI)--physical ship inspection once every two navigation
seasons. Agents must provide the Seaway Ship Inspectors via email an
initial 120 hours' notice of inspection (ESI or self-inspection) prior
to the vessel's arrival at CIP2. An
[[Page 12693]]
additional 24 hours' notice for an ESI (physical inspection) prior to
the vessel arriving at CIP 2 is also required. (email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c5acabb6b5a0a6b1a0b0b7b6b3a885b6a0a4b2a4bceba6a4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="761f18050613150213030405001b3605131701170f581517">[email protected]</span></a> and to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b9cfcddaf9ddd6cd97ded6cf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a7d1d3c4e7c3c8d389c0c8d1">[email protected]</span></a>).
(2) Foreign flagged vessels may be permitted a Self-Inspection in
the interim season subject to satisfactory performance. As such,
vessels must complete and submit the ``Seaway Ship Inspection Report''
electronically to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c9a0a7bab9acaabdacbcbbbabfa489baaca8bea8b0e7aaa8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="553c3b26253036213020272623381526303422342c7b3634">[email protected]</span></a> and to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f5838196b5919a81db929a83"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2a5c5e496a4e455e044d455c">[email protected]</span></a> 120 hours
prior to transiting the Seaway.
* * * * *
(4) Inland domestic vessels which are approved by the Seaway for
the ``Self-Inspection Program'' and are ISM certified and have a
company quality management system, must submit the ``Seaway Ship
Inspection Report'' every 2 navigation seasons and not later than 30
days after ``fit out''. A ``Seaway Ship Inspection Report'' must be
submitted electronically to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e9879b9a81809980879a998c8a9d869b9aa99a8c889e8890c78a88"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ff918d8c97968f96918c8f9a9c8b908d8cbf8c9a9e889e86d19c9e">[email protected]</span></a>.
(5) Inland domestic vessels not participating in the ``Self-
Inspection Program'' are subject to a Seaway inspection every 2
navigation seasons.
* * * * *
(7) A tall vessel, passenger vessel, or vessel of an unusual design
is subject to Seaway yearly ESI.
(8) The ESI or self-inspection is required on the first transit of
the navigation season.
Issued at Washington, DC under authority delegated at 49 CFR
1.101.
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
Donna O'Berry,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2026-05161 Filed 3-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-61-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 17, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.