100 Vessels Added to Russia Sanctions

Summary#

The Government of Canada published SOR/2026-61, the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, which add 100 vessels to the list of ships targeted by Canadian sanctions. The change came into force on registration (March 25, 2026) and was published in the Canada Gazette on April 8, 2026. The aim is to block parts of the so-called “shadow fleet” that help Russia move oil, gas and other sanctioned goods.

What it does#

• Adds 100 specific vessels to Schedule 1.1 of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. The Canada Gazette item lists the ships by IMO number, name, type and build year.
• Bars people in Canada and Canadians abroad from providing services related to those listed vessels to non-Canadians. That covers services like insurance, technical support and ship supplies.
• Reinforces an existing ban on listed vessels docking in or passing through Canadian waters. Enforcement agencies will use the vessel identifiers to check compliance.
• The vessel names will be added to the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List so banks and businesses can screen them.
• Sets criminal and summary penalties already in the Regulations: up to $25,000 (summary) or imprisonment up to 1 year (summary), or up to 5 years imprisonment on indictment.

Who's affected#

• Global Affairs Canada is the lead federal contact and prepared the regulatory change.
• Enforcement bodies such as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will apply the ban at ports and borders.
• Canadian banks and financial institutions will need to add the newly listed vessels to monitoring systems.
• Canadian companies that provide maritime services (insurance, technical services, ship supplies, etc.) must screen against the updated list and avoid providing prohibited services.
• The listed vessels and their operators (mostly non‑Canadian) are the direct targets. The Gazette text says there are no known legitimate links between these specific vessels and Canada, so impacts on Canadian businesses are expected to be minimal or unlikely. If the source is unclear about specific ownership or operators, that uncertainty remains.

Why it matters#

• The change is meant to make it harder for Russia to evade sanctions by using a “shadow fleet” of ships that move oil, gas and other goods covertly. Cutting off services and port access increases the cost and difficulty of those operations.
• For most Canadians and most businesses, impacts are likely small. But banks, insurers and marine-service companies must update their screening to avoid penalties.
• This amendment is one of many international and domestic steps aimed at reducing revenue that, according to the government, helps fund Russia’s war in Ukraine.