Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations: SOR/2026-61
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 160, Number 7
Registration
SOR/2026-61 March 25, 2026
SPECIAL ECONOMIC MEASURES ACT
P.C. 2026-271 March 25, 2026
Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that the actions of the Russian Federation constitute a grave breach of international peace and security that has resulted in a serious international crisis;
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations under 4(1)(a)footnote a and subsections 4(1.1)footnote b, (2)footnote c and (3) of the Special Economic Measures Act footnote d.
Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations
Amendment
| Item | IMO number | Vessel name | Type | Build date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 511 | 9323314 | Aditya | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2006 |
| 512 | 9310707 | Agate | Oil Products Tanker | 2005 |
| 513 | 9257814 | Aktros | Oil Tanker | 2003 |
| 514 | 9645061 | Aleksey Savrasov | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2013 |
| 515 | 9292199 | Altura | Oil Tanker | 2005 |
| 516 | 9194012 | Anabar | Oil Products Tanker | 2002 |
| 517 | 9433016 | Apate | Oil Tanker | 2009 |
| 518 | 9260483 | Armada Leader | Oil Tanker | 2002 |
| 519 | 9624316 | Aura | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2012 |
| 520 | 9472634 | Aura 1 | Oil Tanker | 2011 |
| 521 | 9347308 | Aura Maris | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2008 |
| 522 | 9385233 | Bayaze D | Bulk Carrier | 2009 |
| 523 | 8918540 | Bergen T | Oil Products Tanker | 1990 |
| 524 | 9083184 | Birthe Theresi | Oil Products Tanker | 1995 |
| 525 | 9275763 | Blage | Oil Products Tanker | 2004 |
| 526 | 9439539 | Bolu | Oil Tanker | 2009 |
| 527 | 9252955 | Briont | Oil Tanker | 2004 |
| 528 | 8808525 | Bronco | Oil Products Tanker | 2005 |
| 529 | 9224439 | Caroline Bezengi | Oil Tanker | 2001 |
| 530 | 9304629 | Cheng He | Oil Tanker | 2007 |
| 531 | 9294123 | Chongchon | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2006 |
| 532 | 9235000 | Coatlicue | Oil Tanker | 2001 |
| 533 | 9251810 | Cross Ocean | Oil Tanker | 2002 |
| 534 | 9382712 | Denver | Oil Products Tanker | 2007 |
| 535 | 9308170 | Estella | Oil Products Tanker | 2007 |
| 536 | 9387279 | Ethera | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2008 |
| 537 | 9400980 | Evali | Oil Tanker | 2008 |
| 538 | 9382073 | Everdine | Oil Products Tanker | 2008 |
| 539 | 8414477 | Flandria | Oil Products Tanker | 1986 |
| 540 | 9354636 | Flura | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2005 |
| 541 | 9272931 | Garuda | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2004 |
| 542 | 9422653 | Gazpromneft Nordeast | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2008 |
| 543 | 9503304 | General Skobelev | Oil Products Tanker | 2008 |
| 544 | 9332028 | Grif | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2007 |
| 545 | 9299707 | Guanyin | Oil Tanker | 2005 |
| 546 | 9311751 | Hitit | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2006 |
| 547 | 9247429 | Indri | Oil Tanker | 2003 |
| 548 | 9640499 | Ivan Kramskoy | Oil Products Tanker | 2012 |
| 549 | 9299886 | Jasper | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2005 |
| 550 | 9419450 | Jewel | Oil Tanker | 2010 |
| 551 | 9810513 | Karabakh | Oil Tanker | 2018 |
| 552 | 9323326 | Katy | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2006 |
| 553 | 9293997 | Khalasi | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2006 |
| 554 | 9867621 | Khankendi | Oil Tanker | 2020 |
| 555 | 9234642 | Koala | Oil Tanker | 2003 |
| 556 | 9330599 | Lumin | Oil Tanker | 2006 |
| 557 | 9388027 | Manaslu | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2008 |
| 558 | 9390317 | Marinstraum | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2007 |
| 559 | 9321562 | Maverick | Oil Tanker | 2007 |
| 560 | 8920581 | Melito Carrier | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 1993 |
| 561 | 9311610 | Torx | Oil Tanker | 2006 |
| 562 | 9323340 | Tranquil Sea | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2007 |
| 563 | 9274343 | Monte Rosa | General Cargo | 2005 |
| 564 | 9344033 | Trium | Oil Products Tanker | 2007 |
| 565 | 9336490 | Myra | Oil Tanker | 2006 |
| 566 | 8920579 | Navik | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 1993 |
| 567 | 9384306 | Universal | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2009 |
| 568 | 9439541 | Nemrut | Oil Tanker | 2009 |
| 569 | 9288863 | Valente | Oil Tanker | 2004 |
| 570 | 9412452 | Nilanga | Oil Tanker | 2010 |
| 571 | 9885879 | Valentin Pikul | Oil Tanker | 2024 |
| 572 | 9372547 | Vasily Dinkov | Oil Products Tanker | 2008 |
| 573 | 9369617 | Nizami Ganjavi | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2006 |
| 574 | 9299173 | Veles | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2004 |
| 575 | 9036284 | Nordstraum | Oil Products Tanker | 1992 |
| 576 | 9640516 | Veles | Oil Products Tanker | 2012 |
| 577 | 9292046 | Nova Crest | Oil Products Tanker | 2005 |
| 578 | 9290373 | Velora | Oil Tanker | 2005 |
| 579 | 8915550 | Noyabrsk | Oil Products Tanker | 1991 |
| 580 | 9207027 | Vernal | Oil Tanker | 2000 |
| 581 | 9299874 | Virel | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2005 |
| 582 | 8010427 | Ophelia | Oil Products Tanker | 1981 |
| 583 | 9640528 | Poseidon S | Oil Products Tanker | 2012 |
| 584 | 9236016 | Vision | Oil Tanker | 2003 |
| 585 | 9299678 | Prisma | Oil Tanker | 2005 |
| 586 | 9842176 | Vladimir Monomakh | Oil Tanker | 2020 |
| 587 | 9435363 | Volga River | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2008 |
| 588 | 9296597 | Prometei | Oil Products Tanker | 2005 |
| 589 | 9261401 | Quartz | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2003 |
| 590 | 9866392 | Vostochny Prospect | Oil Tanker | 2023 |
| 591 | 9297149 | Revanche | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2005 |
| 592 | 9419151 | Wu Tai | Oil Tanker | 2010 |
| 593 | 9735323 | Yaz | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2014 |
| 594 | 8915548 | Ryazan | Oil Products Tanker | 1991 |
| 595 | 9408190 | Samos | Oil Tanker | 2009 |
| 596 | 9304356 | Yodan | Oil Tanker | 2005 |
| 597 | 9274331 | San Damian | General Cargo | 2004 |
| 598 | 9175078 | Zambra | Oil Tanker | 1999 |
| 599 | 9168946 | Zevs | Oil Products Tanker | 1999 |
| 600 | 9293117 | Sun | Oil Tanker | 2005 |
| 601 | 9309588 | Symphony | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 2005 |
| 602 | 9105140 | Taimyr | Chemical/Oil Products Tanker | 1995 |
| 603 | 9292060 | Talisman | Oil Products Tanker | 2006 |
| 604 | 9292058 | Tango | Oil Products Tanker | 2006 |
| 605 | 9292589 | Team | Oil Products Tanker | 2006 |
| 606 | 9389071 | Tango 2 | Oil Tanker | 2009 |
| 607 | 9308132 | Tempest Dream | Oil Products Tanker | 2006 |
| 608 | 9330472 | Thorin | Oil Tanker | 2007 |
| 609 | 9372561 | Timofey Guzhenko | Oil Products Tanker | 2009 |
| 610 | 9292034 | Topaz | Oil Tanker | 2004 |
Application Before Publication
2 For the purpose of paragraph 11(2)(a) of the Statutory Instruments Act, these Regulations apply according to their terms before they are published in the Canada Gazette.
Coming Into Force
3 These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)
Issues
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine violates international law, including the United Nations Charter. While international sanctions have been effective in hampering Russia’s war efforts, maintaining pressure requires Canada and its partners to continuously adapt their sanctions regimes, particularly in response to sanctions evasion. A key facilitator of Russian sanctions evasion is the clandestine “shadow fleet” of vessels and associated companies that enable illicit shipments from Russia in violation of international sanctions and the oil price cap. Revenues from these illicit shipments continue to fuel Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Background
Despite sanctions, oil and gas revenues still fuel Russia’s war against Ukraine and made up about 25% of Russia’s total national revenues in 2025. To bypass restrictions, Russia relies on a network of vessels and various supporting entities around the world known as the “shadow fleet.” Russia’s shadow fleet is mainly composed of oil tankers that often intentionally disable or manipulate their automatic identification systems, conceal their ownership, exhibit substandard maintenance and inadequate insurance coverage, and engage in covert ship-to-ship transfers and cargo mislabelling.
International response
Canada and its partners, including the G7, have maintained coordinated pressure on Russia through comprehensive sanctions targeting its energy sector, financial networks, maritime logistics, and defence-industrial base.
A broad coalition of countries supporting Ukraine — largely coordinated by G7 efforts — continues to assist across multiple areas: energy security, nuclear safety, food security, humanitarian aid, combating Russian disinformation, imposing sanctions and economic measures, asset seizure and forfeiture, military assistance, accountability initiatives, and socio-economic recovery and reconstruction. Sanctions regimes are regularly updated to increase pressure and close loopholes exploited by Russia and third-country enablers.
In 2022, the G7, Australia and New Zealand (the “Oil Price Cap Coalition”) set a price cap of US$60 per barrel for Russian crude oil sold on the open market. The objective was to restrict the flow of oil revenues into Russia’s war chest. As the decline in global oil prices progressively challenged the effectiveness of this price cap, Canada and other Oil Price Cap Coalition members have repeatedly lowered it. As of February 24, 2026, Australia, Canada, the European Union (EU), New Zealand and the United Kingdom (U.K.) have imposed an oil price cap of US$44.10.
Since October 2025, several countries have also announced sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector. On October 15, 2025, the U.K. announced economic measures targeting energy firms (including Lukoil and Rosneft), Russia’s defence-industrial base, and sanctions evaders. On October 22, 2025, the United States (U.S.) sanctioned these same Russian oil firms, along with 35 subsidiaries, and tightened export controls. On October 23, 2025, the EU introduced sanctions that mirrored these priorities.
On February 24, 2026, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. announced sanctions packages targeting individuals, entities, and shadow fleet vessels with links to Russia’s oil and gas, finance and banking, defence, and science and technology sectors.
Canada’s response
Canada, alongside like-minded partners, has imposed extensive sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) in response to Russia’s violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty. Canada has sanctioned more than 3 400 individuals and entities across Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova since 2014. Restrictions target financial, trade, and transport sectors, including Russian networks operating through third countries. Canada also participates in the G7 diamond import ban and efforts to use proceeds from Russian sovereign assets to support Ukraine. Furthermore, Canada has acted against foreign financial institutions for intentionally facilitating cross-border payments in sanction circumvention efforts and continues to restrict the role of Russian banks as intermediaries.
Under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (the Russia Regulations), Canada prohibits the import of Russian crude oil, refined petroleum products, and gaseous hydrocarbons, and prohibits exports of goods and services related to oil exploration and production in Russia. Canada is a member of the Oil Price Cap Coalition, restricting services linked to marine transport of oil sold above the price cap. Canada also broadly prohibits services supporting Russia’s energy, manufacturing, and transportation sectors.
To strengthen enforcement, Canada has barred Russian-linked vessels from Canadian waters since 2022, with 2025 amendments to the Russia Regulations adding a schedule of vessels that have transported goods for Russia as part of Russia’s shadow fleet and prohibited financial or other services related to these vessels. Since these amendments were introduced, Canada has added over 500 vessels to this schedule.
Under Canada’s G7 presidency in 2025, participating G7 members launched a Shadow Fleet Task Force with members of the Nordic-Baltic 8 (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden) to enhance monitoring, detection and coordination to disrupt and deter the global shadow fleet engaged in illegal, unsafe, and environmentally hazardous activities.
Objective
- Further increase the economic costs to Russia for its war against Ukraine by targeting the shadow fleet that sustains Russia’s energy revenues.
Description
The amendments to the Russia Regulations add 100 vessels that are part of the shadow fleet. The vessels listed have been involved in facilitating the transport of oil, liquefied natural gas, arms, and other sanctioned goods on behalf of or for the benefit of Russia or a person in Russia.
Any person in Canada or Canadians outside Canada are prohibited to provide, to a person outside Canada who is not Canadian, any services related to a listed vessel.
Regulatory development
Consultation
Global Affairs Canada regularly engages with relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations and cultural communities, and other like-minded governments regarding Canada’s approach to sanctions implementation.
New sanctions measures are not prepublished in the Canada Gazette, Part I, and public consultation would not have been appropriate for these amendments. Publicizing the names of the listed vessels targeted by sanctions could have resulted in sanctions evasion prior to the coming into force of the amendments, which could compromise Canada’s foreign policy objectives.
Indigenous engagement, consultation and modern treaty obligations
Following the completion of the assessment of modern treaty implications, no adverse impacts on potential or established Indigenous or treaty rights, which are recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, were identified.
Instrument choice
The imposition of sanctions against foreign states and non-state actors is a key tool for the international community to support peace and security and enforce international norms and laws. The Parliament of Canada has enacted legislation authorizing the imposition of sanctions through the United Nations Act, the SEMA and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.
Canada has established a rigorous due diligence process to consider and evaluate possible cases that may warrant the use of sanctions. Given the elements proposed in the amendments, the SEMA was identified as the instrument of choice.
Sanctions measures under the SEMA are imposed by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, through a regulatory process. The Russia Regulations are therefore the only available legal instrument for the proposed amendments. No other instrument could be considered.
Regulatory analysis
Benefits and costs
The amendments related to the listing of vessels are not expected to result in incremental impacts on Canada. Since 2022, the Russia Regulations have banned certain vessels from docking in or passing through Canada. This applies to all vessels registered in Russia or used, leased or chartered, in whole or in part, by or on behalf of or for the benefit of Russia, a person in Russia or a listed person. By adding the additional 100 vessels to the Russia Regulations, this will facilitate the enforcement of the general prohibition on docking and passage in Canada; without the International Maritime Organization number of the vessels in the Russia Regulations, enforcement authorities must determine on a case-by-case basis whether a vessel is subject to the general prohibition.
As part of the additional prohibitions on sanctioned vessels, all Canadian companies providing services related to vessels such as insurance, technical services or ship supply services will be required to screen against the Russia Regulations to ensure that they are not providing a service in relation to a listed vessel. There is no data available to ascertain if any Canadian businesses are currently providing services in relation to listed vessels; however, Global Affairs Canada has concluded that it is highly unlikely because there is no record of these vessels entering Canada, and none of the vessels are owned, managed, operated or insured by Canadian companies.
These amendments to the Russia Regulations will strengthen existing economic measures against Russia, constrain Russia’s ability to finance and resource its unjustified war in Ukraine, and discourage individuals and entities from contributing, directly or indirectly, to Russia’s war efforts.
The incremental cost to the Government of Canada to administer and enforce these additional prohibitions will be minimal. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will incur a small cost to ensure their relevant systems include the vessels listed through this amendment.
Canadian banks and financial institutions are required to comply with sanctions. They will do so by adding the newly listed vessels to their existing monitoring systems, resulting in a minor compliance cost. As of August 2024, Canadian banks and financial institutions must report transactions suspected of being related to sanctions evasion to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
Small business lens
Analysis under the small business lens concludes that the amendments will not impact Canadian small businesses, as it is highly unlikely that Canadian businesses have dealings with the vessels included in the amendments.
Canadian businesses may seek permits under the Special Economic Measures Permit Authorization Order to allow them to perform a specified activity with a listed vessel. Those permits are granted on an exceptional basis. Global Affairs Canada does not anticipate any applications resulting from listing these vessels because no business dealings significant to Canada’s economy have been identified.
Canadian small businesses are subject to the duty to disclose under the Russia Regulations, which represent a direct compliance requirement. However, as the newly listed vessels have no known legitimate linkages with Canada, Global Affairs Canada does not anticipate any disclosures resulting from the amendments.
One-for-one rule
The one-for-one rule does not apply, as there is no incremental change in administrative burden on business. The permitting process for businesses meets the definition of “administrative burden” in the Red Tape Reduction Act; however, while permits may be granted under the Special Economic Measures Permit Authorization Order on an exceptional basis, given the minimal level of trade with Russia, Global Affairs Canada does not anticipate any permit applications with respect to the amendments.
Regulatory cooperation and alignment
While the amendments are not related to a work plan or commitment under a formal regulatory cooperation forum, they align with actions taken by Canada’s partners. Countries and jurisdictions that have sanctioned vessels related to Russia’s infringement of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Russia’s gross and systematic violations of human rights, include Australia, the EU, New Zealand, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.
International obligations
Compliance with Canada’s international commitments was considered in the development of this proposal.
Effects on the environment
The amendments are unlikely to result in important environmental effects. In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, a preliminary scan concluded that a strategic environmental and economic assessment is not required.
Gender-based analysis plus
A gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) assessment concluded that the amendments are unlikely to result in differential impacts on the basis of identity factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, etc.
The subject of economic sanctions has previously been assessed for effects on gender and diversity. Although intended to facilitate a change in behaviour through economic pressure on individuals and entities in foreign states, sanctions under the SEMA can nevertheless have an unintended impact on certain vulnerable groups and individuals. Rather than affecting Russia as a whole, these targeted sanctions impact a key economic sector that is generating revenue used by Russia to finance its continued violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Therefore, these sanctions are unlikely to have a significant impact on vulnerable groups as compared to traditional broad-based economic sanctions directed toward a state. So far as sanctions limit Russia’s ability to wage war, individuals and groups vulnerable to gender-based discrimination are likely to benefit from these measures.
Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards
The amendments come into force on the day they are registered.
The names of the listed vessels will be available online for financial institutions to review and will be added to the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List. This will help persons in Canada and Canadians outside of Canada comply with the amendments.
The Trade Commissioner Service at Global Affairs Canada, abroad and in Canada, continues to assist clients in understanding Canadian sanctions regulations, and notably the impact of the regulations on any activities in which Canadians may be engaged. Global Affairs Canada is also increasing outreach efforts across Canada through presentations and other events — including to engage with businesses, universities, and provincial/territorial governments — to enhance national awareness of and compliance with Canadian sanctions.
The prohibitions on vessels entering or passing through Canada are enforced by a multi-departmental process.
Under the SEMA, both RCMP and CBSA officers have the power to enforce sanctions measures through their authorities as defined under the Customs Act, the Excise Act or the Excise Act, 2001, and sections 487 to 490, 491.1 and 491.2 of the Criminal Code.
In accordance with section 8 of the SEMA, every person who knowingly contravenes or fails to comply with the Russia Regulations is liable, upon summary conviction, to a fine of not more than $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both, or, upon conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years.
Contact
Global Affairs Canada
Sanctions Bureau
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2
Telephone (toll-free): 833‑352‑0769
Telephone (local): 343‑203‑3975
Fax: 613‑995‑9085
Email: sanctions@international.gc.ca