Expanded Russia sanctions: 109 ships listed

Summary#

These are final amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations that came into force on February 21, 2025 and were published in the Canada Gazette on March 12, 2025. They add 32 people, 44 organizations and a new list, Schedule 1.1, of 109 ships (identified by IMO number), and expand bans on dealings with those listed and on certain ships using Canadian ports or waters.

What it does#

• Adds Schedule 1.1, a list of 109 vessels identified by their International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers. Those ships are treated as vessels believed to have transported goods for or on behalf of Russia.

  • Docking in Canada or passing through Canadian waters is prohibited for those ships unless needed to protect human life or navigational safety.

• Adds 32 individuals and 44 entities to the sanctions list in Schedule 1. Listed persons and entities are subject to the Russia sanctions already in the Regulations (asset and transaction prohibitions).

• Changes the ships rule (section 3.04) to explicitly prohibit:

  • ships registered in Russia;
  • ships listed in Schedule 1.1; and
  • ships used, leased or chartered by or for the benefit of Russia or a listed person.

• Creates a process for owners/operators to apply to have a ship removed from Schedule 1.1, with the Minister deciding whether to recommend removal.

• Clarifies that the existing ban on petroleum goods covers Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as well, and adjusts tariff (HS) codes in Schedule 7 that relate to goods used in weapons manufacture.

• Reinforces enforcement tools and penalties already in the Regulations, including fines up to $25,000 or imprisonment up to one year (summary conviction) or up to five years (indictable conviction).

Who's affected#

• The 32 individuals and 44 entities newly added to the sanctions list.
• Owners, operators, managers and insurers of the 109 vessels named in Schedule 1.1.
• Canadian port operators, pilots and the maritime industry if one of the listed ships seeks to enter or pass through Canada.
• Financial institutions and businesses that screen customers and counterparties; banks will need to add the new names to monitoring systems (described as a minor compliance cost).
• Companies involved in oil, LNG, shipping, aviation, insurance, and firms that export sensitive technologies to Russia or third countries that help Russia evade sanctions.
• Enforcement agencies such as Global Affairs Canada, Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (named here as enforcement partners in the source).

If it is unclear whether a particular person or firm is affected, the source says they can check the updated Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List or contact the Sanctions Bureau at Global Affairs Canada.

Why it matters#

• It tightens Canada’s sanctions tools to stop people and companies from helping Russia evade restrictions. Listing specific ships by IMO number makes it harder to hide vessels by changing names.
• For maritime operators, a named ship may be denied Canadian ports or passage, which can disrupt voyages, insurance and logistics.
• For financial institutions and businesses, the rule reinforces the need for sanctions screening and may block transactions with newly listed parties.
• The government says the measures aim to reduce Russia’s ability to fund and supply its military, to deter sanctions circumvention, and to target actors involved in abuses such as forced transfer of Ukrainian children and disinformation.
• Practical impacts on most Canadians and Canadian businesses are expected to be limited, according to the regulatory statement, but affected firms and maritime operators could face direct operational or compliance consequences.