Current status: Closed
Open on September 8, 2023 and will be closed on January 8, 2024.
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 1, 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.
Join in: how to participate
Register online at Let’s Talk Transportation and share your comments on our discussion questions or upload a document through the Submissions tab.
Who is the focus of this consultation
We want to hear from stakeholders and the Canadian public. Your feedback is important! All Canadians are invited to participate in the online discussion.
Key questions for discussion
- Do you have concerns about the requirements for the new types of vessels that Transport Canada wants to add to the Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations?
- Do you think that navigation will be safer in the polar waters after these changes are implemented?
Related information
Contact us
Transport Canada
Tower C, Place de Ville
330 Sparks St.
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5
Email: tc.navradio.tc@tc.gc.ca