Transport Minister delivers on promise to accelerate removal of legacy DOT-111 tank cars from crude oil transport

News Release

New, safer tank cars now transport crude oil by rail

October 31, 2016 – Ottawa, Ontario – Transport Canada

The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of protecting Canadians and those who live along our rail corridors. That’s why we took concrete steps to make the shipment of dangerous goods safer.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, today highlighted that legacy DOT-111 tank cars will be completely removed for crude oil service by 12:01 a.m. tonight, in accordance with Protective Direction 38.

Any person or organization importing, handling, offering for transport or transporting crude oil can no longer ship crude oil in legacy DOT-111 tank cars into or within Canada.

Protective Direction 38 accelerated the phasing out of unjacketed legacy DOT-111 tank cars six months early and legacy jacketed DOT-111 cars 16 months early.

Legacy DOT-111 tank cars are considered to be the least crash resistant tank cars in crude oil service. These older tank cars have been replaced by the TC-117, which includes several additional safety features, including thicker steel, head shields, thermal protection, and top fitting protection.

Transport Canada’s dangerous goods inspectors continue to closely monitor industry’s compliance with the tank car phase-out schedule, as part of its existing inspection program.

Quote

“Rail safety is my number one priority and the phasing out of DOT-111 tank cars is a crucial step towards strengthening our rail safety system by making sure that crude oil no longer travels in the least crash-resistant tank cars. My department will ensure that the deadline is respected and will not hesitate to take quick action should any legacy tank cars be found transporting crude oil.”
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

Quick Facts

  • In 2015, more than 146,000 carloads of crude oil were shipped throughout Canada by rail.
  • Prior to Protective Direction 38, the deadlines for phasing out the legacy DOT-111 tank cars in crude oil service were May 1, 2017, for non-jacketed cars and March 1, 2018, for jacketed cars.
  • DOT-111 cars must be completely phased out for all flammable liquids by April 30, 2025.

Related Products

Contacts

Delphine Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
Delphine.Denis@tc.gc.ca
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.


Search for related information by keyword

Page details

Date modified: