Polar Code rules for non-SOLAS Arctic vessels

Summary#

This is a proposed amendment, published March 21, 2026, that would change the Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations (ASSPPR) and the Administrative Monetary Penalties and Notices (CSA 2001) Regulations. The goal is to bring Canada’s rules into line with recent international updates to the SOLAS Convention and the Polar Code, and to add navigation and voyage‑planning rules for some non‑SOLAS vessels operating in Arctic waters.

What it does#

• Expands the types of vessels covered so certain smaller ships must meet Polar Code navigation and voyage‑planning rules:
  • fishing vessels 24 metres or longer;
  • pleasure craft 300 gross tonnage or more that are not engaged in trade;
  • cargo vessels between 300 and 500 gross tonnage.
• Adds specific safety and equipment requirements for those vessels, including:
  • a way to receive and display current ice information;
  • a clear view through at least two navigation bridge windows (and a clear view astern or accepted alternate);
  • measures to prevent ice build‑up on antennas and navigation equipment;
  • two means of illumination to see ice;
  • at least one GNSS compass connected to main and emergency power;
  • two independent echo‑sounders, or one echo‑sounder with two independent transducers where ice‑strengthened;
  • two non‑magnetic ways to determine and show heading.
• Requires voyage planning to explicitly take into account:
  • onboard safety management procedures or a documented polar‑operations procedure;
  • limits of charts and navigation aids;
  • current and historical information on ice and icebergs and on temperatures;
  • places of refuge and protected areas;
  • current information and measures regarding marine mammals and seasonal migration areas;
  • remoteness from search‑and‑rescue capability.
• Makes a small change to the administrative‑penalty rules to reflect the new vessel categories and adds a penalty entry (range $2,625 to $250,000).
• This is a proposal (Part I notice). Comments were invited for 60 days after publication.

Who's affected#

• Owners and operators of:
  • fishing vessels 24 metres and over that operate in Canada’s Arctic waters (Canadian and foreign flagged);
  • pleasure yachts 300 gross tonnage or more not engaged in trade;
  • cargo vessels 300–500 gross tonnage.
• Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard for monitoring and enforcement.
• Indigenous organizations and northern communities may be affected indirectly because many coastal communities depend on local fisheries and are close to Arctic marine areas. The department says it engaged Indigenous groups and assessed modern treaty implications.
• The department’s analysis used AIS data from 2019–2023 and identified 23 Canadian‑flagged fishing vessels in scope and 11 pleasure yachts (mostly foreign). Many affected vessels already meet much of the proposed equipment and planning practice voluntarily.

Why it matters#

• It closes a gap between Canadian rules and recent international safety rules for polar waters, so more vessels operating in the Arctic follow the same navigation and voyage‑planning standards.
• The change aims to reduce accidents in harsh and remote Arctic conditions. Fewer accidents mean less risk of pollution, harm to wildlife (including marine mammals), and threats to food and livelihoods in northern communities.
• The direct, monetized compliance cost estimated by Transport Canada is modest: $192,699 (present value, 2024 dollars, for 2026–2035), mostly for extra compasses ($12,500 average each) and a few echo‑sounder upgrades ($3,000 each).
• Many affected vessels already follow similar practices, so the department expects limited new burden and high voluntary compliance.