Port of Thunder Bay

The controlling depth at Thunder Bay is 8.02 meters. Draft restrictions should be confirmed with the port authority before arrival, as silting, dredging operations, and tidal conditions can affect available depths. Pilotage is typically required for larger vessels.

The approach to Thunder Bay is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Kaministiquia River Entrance Lighthouse at 1.3 NM to the E. Other aids include Thunder Bay South Entrance (1.3 NM ENE), Thunder Bay Main (2.4 NM NE), Mission Channel Entrance (3.3 NM SSE), Thunder Bay North Entrance (3.4 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

The Port of Thunder Bay is situated on the North Pacific Ocean in CA. The area falls within the temperate maritime climate zone, which can influence port operations and seasonal shipping patterns.

You can track vessels near Thunder Bay (CATHU) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course.

The Port of Thunder Bay is a port in CA. Its UN/LOCODE is CATHU — the five-character code the UNECE assigns to trade and transport locations, and the identifier used on shipping documents and in port calls.

The first two characters, CA, are the ISO country code for CA. The remaining three identify the location within that country. The code is issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and is the international standard for naming ports in trade and transport systems.

The Port of Thunder Bay operates in the UTC-5 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.

THUNDER BAY (UN/Locode: CATHU), Canada is a seaport located at approximately 48.40300° N, -89.21500° E.

Coordinates: 48.40300° N, -89.21500° E.

Harbor type/size: Coastal Breakwater and Medium. Cranes: mobile cranes. Lifting: 0–24 MT lifts and 50–100 MT lifts. Support: wharf loading/offloading, good holding ground and turning area. Depths: channel depth 6.4m - 7.6m; anchorage depth 9.4m - 10m; cargo pier depth 6.4m - 7.6m; oil terminal depth 6.4m - 7.6m and maximum draft approx. 8.02 m.

Entrance/operational restrictions — tide: no specific restriction; swell: no specific restriction; ice: restrictions present; overhead limits: none and other: may apply.

Communication & port formalities — telephone: available; radio (VHF): available; air services: available; rail: available; ETA message: required; quarantine pratique: available; deratting certificate: available and first port of entry: available. Pilotage & towage — pilotage: compulsory; tug assistance: available and tug salvage: not available.

Vessel types historically calling: Bulk Carrier, General Cargo, Passenger, Tanker and Tugs Harbor Craft.