The EU’s Arctic Strategy supports moving international rules on shipping black carbon emissions from voluntary guidance to mandatory requirements, according to a Clean Arctic Alliance statement carried by Hellenic Shipping News. The strategy also backs renewable and low-carbon fuels for vessels calling at EU ports, citing the role of FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System.
The EU intends to advocate for rules covering waters north of 60°N, extending their reach beyond the Arctic Circle. Sian Prior, lead advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance, welcomed that geographical scope, arguing that emissions from ships operating near the Arctic can travel north and contribute to warming and the melting of land and sea ice.
A proposed mandatory polar fuel measure is due to be considered at the International Maritime Organization’s Pollution Prevention and Response Committee in January 2027. Denmark is leading the proposal, with Greenland’s support and Germany, France and the Solomon Islands as co-sponsors. Prior urged other Arctic and near-Arctic countries to support it, describing the EU strategy as timely backing for the initiative.
According to the statement, the proposal would require cleaner distillate fuels, including marine gas oil, and new zero-carbon fuels entering the market. It would exclude residual fuel blends, including marine diesel oil and ultra-low sulphur fuel oils, as well as heavy residual fuel oils used with scrubbers. The alliance said those fuels could otherwise remain permissible under an emission control area designation, leaving a gap in restrictions aimed specifically at black carbon.
Environmental organisations also called for national support. Andrew Dumbrille, special advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance and co-director of Equal Routes, urged Canada to build on its COP30 black carbon pledge and Arctic emission control area by backing a mandatory measure. The Iceland Nature Conservation Association called for Iceland’s support, while WWF-Norway pressed Norway and other Arctic governments to support binding rules at the January 2027 meeting.