Let’s Talk Polar Code: Adding new vessel types to the Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations
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Consultation has concluded
The International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee has adopted new requirements for new classes of vessels subject to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and Polar Code. Transport Canada plans to add these requirements to the Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations which is applicable to Canadian and foreign vessels.
The changes have been made to make it safer to navigate, prevent pollution, and plan voyages for non-SOLAS ships in polar waters. These changes will come into effect on January 1, 2026, or on January 01, 2027 for ships constructed before January 1, 2026.
What changes will Transport Canada make and how will they be applied?
The changes will apply to:
cargo ships between 300 and 500 gross tonnage that operate in polar waters,
fishing vessels that are 24 metres or longer that operate in polar waters, and
pleasure yachts of 300 gross tonnage or more that aren’t engaged in trade, but navigate in polar waters.
The changes are explained further in the table below.
Table 1: New requirements proposed for the Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations
Type of vessels - Requirements apply to
Description of requirement
All new types of vessels added to the regulations, as outlined above
Have a way to receive and display current information on ice conditions in the area.
Comply with SOLAS regulation V/22.1.9.4 and have a clear view astern or another arrangement accepted by the country where the vessel is registered.
Have a way to keep ice from building up on navigation and communication antennas in areas where ice build-up is likely.
Be equipped with two means of illumination to help the crew see ice.
This doesn’t apply to vessels that operate in areas with 24 hours of daylight.
Be fitted with at least one Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) compass or equivalent that connects to the ship's main and emergency power.
This only applies if the vessel travels over 80 degrees latitude.
Have an onboard voyage plan that takes into account the potential hazards on a voyage. This includes:
procedures for the vessel’s safety management system
any limitations of the hydrographic information and aids to navigation available
current information on the extent and type of ice and icebergs along the intended route
statistical information on ice and temperatures from previous years
places of refuge
current information and measures to take when the vessel encounters marine mammals in known and seasonal migration areas
current information on the vessel’s routing systems, speed recommendations and vessel traffic services for areas where marine mammals are common, including seasonal migration areas
national and international designated protected areas along the route
how to operate in remote areas, far from search and rescue teams
All ice-strengthened vessels constructed before January 1, 2026
If equipment required by the SOLAS Convention has sensors that project below the hull, these sensors must be protected from ice.
Ice-strengthened vessels constructed on or after January 1, 2026
Have either:
two independent echo-sounding devices, or
one echo-sounding device with two separate independent transducers.
Other devices that use depth sounding devices, like fish finders, and other arrangements accepted by the country where the vessel is registered, can be used to meet this requirement.
The bridge wings of Polar Code Category A and B vessels are to be designed to protect navigational equipment and operating personnel or have in place another arrangement that provides a similar level of protection.
Vessels that are 500 gross tonnage, or more
Have two non-magnetic means to determine and display their heading.
Both means must be independent and connected to the ship's main and emergency source of power.
We want to hear from you
We want to hear from stakeholders and the Canadian public. Your feedback is important.
How to participate
Select “Register” at the top of the page, and join the discussion under the “Have Your Say” tab
You can also submit your comments in a Word or PDF document through the “Submissions” tab (you can upload more than one document).
The International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee has adopted new requirements for new classes of vessels subject to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and Polar Code. Transport Canada plans to add these requirements to the Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations which is applicable to Canadian and foreign vessels.
The changes have been made to make it safer to navigate, prevent pollution, and plan voyages for non-SOLAS ships in polar waters. These changes will come into effect on January 1, 2026, or on January 01, 2027 for ships constructed before January 1, 2026.
What changes will Transport Canada make and how will they be applied?
The changes will apply to:
cargo ships between 300 and 500 gross tonnage that operate in polar waters,
fishing vessels that are 24 metres or longer that operate in polar waters, and
pleasure yachts of 300 gross tonnage or more that aren’t engaged in trade, but navigate in polar waters.
The changes are explained further in the table below.
Table 1: New requirements proposed for the Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations
Type of vessels - Requirements apply to
Description of requirement
All new types of vessels added to the regulations, as outlined above
Have a way to receive and display current information on ice conditions in the area.
Comply with SOLAS regulation V/22.1.9.4 and have a clear view astern or another arrangement accepted by the country where the vessel is registered.
Have a way to keep ice from building up on navigation and communication antennas in areas where ice build-up is likely.
Be equipped with two means of illumination to help the crew see ice.
This doesn’t apply to vessels that operate in areas with 24 hours of daylight.
Be fitted with at least one Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) compass or equivalent that connects to the ship's main and emergency power.
This only applies if the vessel travels over 80 degrees latitude.
Have an onboard voyage plan that takes into account the potential hazards on a voyage. This includes:
procedures for the vessel’s safety management system
any limitations of the hydrographic information and aids to navigation available
current information on the extent and type of ice and icebergs along the intended route
statistical information on ice and temperatures from previous years
places of refuge
current information and measures to take when the vessel encounters marine mammals in known and seasonal migration areas
current information on the vessel’s routing systems, speed recommendations and vessel traffic services for areas where marine mammals are common, including seasonal migration areas
national and international designated protected areas along the route
how to operate in remote areas, far from search and rescue teams
All ice-strengthened vessels constructed before January 1, 2026
If equipment required by the SOLAS Convention has sensors that project below the hull, these sensors must be protected from ice.
Ice-strengthened vessels constructed on or after January 1, 2026
Have either:
two independent echo-sounding devices, or
one echo-sounding device with two separate independent transducers.
Other devices that use depth sounding devices, like fish finders, and other arrangements accepted by the country where the vessel is registered, can be used to meet this requirement.
The bridge wings of Polar Code Category A and B vessels are to be designed to protect navigational equipment and operating personnel or have in place another arrangement that provides a similar level of protection.
Vessels that are 500 gross tonnage, or more
Have two non-magnetic means to determine and display their heading.
Both means must be independent and connected to the ship's main and emergency source of power.
We want to hear from you
We want to hear from stakeholders and the Canadian public. Your feedback is important.
How to participate
Select “Register” at the top of the page, and join the discussion under the “Have Your Say” tab
You can also submit your comments in a Word or PDF document through the “Submissions” tab (you can upload more than one document).
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