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Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

New 2026 ECAs: Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea

Two new emission control areas have already been in force since 1 March 2026: the window to adjust passage planning and bunkering is narrower than it looks, because the SOx/PM limits kick in as early as 2027.

ECAMEPC 82MARPOL Annex VICanadian ArcticNorwegian Sea

Operational Explanation

Resolution MEPC.392(82), adopted at MEPC 82 (October 2024), designates two new Emission Control Areas (ECA) under MARPOL Annex VI: Canadian Arctic waters and the Norwegian Sea north of 62°N. The amendments entered into force on 1 March 2026, making these two areas operational ahead of the future North-East Atlantic ECA (1 September 2027, adopted separately at MEPC 84).

As with other ECAs, the limits apply in stages: the SOx/particulate matter limits (fuel sulphur content below 0.10% m/m, unless an equivalent EGCS is used) take effect from 1 March 2027, one year after the amendments entered into force. NOx limits instead follow the usual "three-date principle" already used under MARPOL Annex I/VI (contract date, keel-laying date, delivery date), applying in a differentiated way depending on the age and construction characteristics of each ship.

Regulatory Reference

MARPOL Annex VI, amendments adopted under Resolution MEPC.392(82) (MEPC 82, October 2024): designation of Canadian Arctic waters and the Norwegian Sea (north of 62°N) as new Emission Control Areas. Entry into force of the amendments: 1 March 2026. Application of SOx/PM limits: from 1 March 2027. Application of NOx limits: per the three-date principle (contract/keel-laying/delivery).

Scope of Application

Every ship navigating in Canadian Arctic waters or the Norwegian Sea north of 62°N, with obligations that intensify progressively between 2026 (entry into force) and 2027 (SOx/PM limits fully applicable).

Procedure / How to Complete It

  1. Update charts and passage planning systems with the exact boundaries of both new ECAs (Canadian Arctic waters and Norwegian Sea north of 62°), keeping them distinct from the future North-East Atlantic ECA.
  2. Verify the applicable date for your ship: the SOx/PM limits are already in force from 1 March 2027, while the NOx limits depend on the three-date principle and must be checked case by case.
  3. Review fuel changeover planning for entry into and exit from both new areas, including any Arctic-specific operational considerations.
  4. Verify the availability of compliant fuel (or the operability of an equivalent EGCS) at ports of call and bunkering ports along habitual Arctic and Norwegian routes.
  5. Update crew training and the voyage planning checklist to include the two new areas as distinct, not as a generic extension of the existing ECAs.

Practical Example

Example: a Company with regular routes through the Norwegian Sea reviews, starting already in 2026, its bunkering contracts at habitual Norwegian ports to secure the availability of fuel compliant with the 0.10% sulphur limit ahead of the 1 March 2027 deadline.

Real Cases

Arctic waters pose an additional operational challenge compared to other ECAs: the availability of compliant fuel at Arctic ports is often more limited than on busier European or North American routes, and bunkering windows are constrained by the seasonality of Arctic navigation. Companies that operate regularly in this area therefore face a higher level of advance planning than for an ECA in more heavily trafficked waters.

Common Mistakes Mistake Library

MistakeConsequenceHow to avoid it
The two new ECAs (Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea) confused with the future North-East Atlantic ECA, treating them as a single 2027 deadlineNon-compliant navigation in Arctic/Norwegian waters as early as 2026-2027, wrongly believing the deadline is single and further awayKeep the three areas distinct (Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea from 2026/2027, North-East Atlantic from 2027) in planning, with their respective dates and reference resolutions
Availability of compliant fuel at Arctic ports not verified with sufficient advance noticeRisk of non-compliance or operational delays due to lack of fuel on boardVerify the availability of compliant fuel (or EGCS operability) well in advance, accounting for the seasonality of Arctic navigation

PSC Observations

From 1 March 2027, PSCOs will verify compliance with the SOx/PM limits in Canadian Arctic waters and the Norwegian Sea using the same methods already applied in other ECAs (changeover logs, fuel sampling, Bunker Delivery Note); verification of the NOx limits will depend on the ship's construction date under the three-date principle.

Operational Tips

Checklist

FAQ

When did the new Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea ECAs enter into force?
The MARPOL Annex VI amendments (Resolution MEPC.392(82), MEPC 82, October 2024) entered into force on 1 March 2026; the SOx/PM limits apply fully from 1 March 2027.
Are they the same as the new North-East Atlantic ECA?
No: they are distinct designations. The Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea derive from Resolution MEPC.392(82) (MEPC 82, 2024), entering into force in 2026/2027; the North-East Atlantic derives from later amendments adopted at MEPC 84 (2026), entering into force on 1 September 2027.
How do the NOx limits apply in the new ECAs?
Under the three-date principle (contract date, keel-laying date, delivery date), the same approach already used for the NOx limits of MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 13, differentiating application according to the ship's construction age.
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Related Topics

North-East Atlantic ECA (2027)Fuel Oil Changeover (ECA)