International Environmental Standards as a Regulator of Marine Economic Activities in the Arctic

Zh. V. Vasileva1,*, M. V. Vasekha2, D. A. Erofeev1, A. R. Gafurov1, E. A. Rumiantceva1

1 Murmansk Arctic University, Murmansk, Russia

2 Kola Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia

* e-mail: kuchugura@mail.ru

Abstract

Currently, there is a tendency to tighten international environmental regulations in the field of maritime shipping. This study analyzes possible consequences of the introduction of environmental restrictions by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on marine activities in the Arctic region, including the ban on the use of heavy fuel oil, presented in IMO Resolution MEPC.329(76), and the requirements of the IMO 2023 Strategy to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The volume of use of various types of marine fuel on the Northern Sea Route in 2024 was analyzed. An assessment of the use of heavy fuel oil by ships and a risk analysis for the development of large-tonnage Arctic offshore projects were carried out with the implementation of IMO Resolution MEPC.329(76). A forecast calculation of the compliance of greenhouse gas emissions with cargo turnover on the NSR has been made, taking into account the targets of the IMO 2023 Strategy. It is shown that without switching to environmentally friendly fuels and the introduction of innovative emission reduction technologies, the required reduction in emissions by 2030 and 2040 can only be achieved by significantly limiting cargo turnover on the Northern Sea Route. The IMO’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction tools and the possibility of legal mechanisms for implementing the IMO Strategy were analyzed.

Keywords

Arctic, arctic water area, Northern Sea Route, maritime shipping, heavy fuel oil, greenhouse gases, International Maritime Organization

Acknowledgments

The work was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (project No. 25-27-20102).

About the authors

Zhanna V. Vasileva, Head of the Research Laboratory “Eco-engineering and Pollution Monitoring of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation”, Murmansk Arctic University (13 Sportivnaya St., Murmansk, 183010, Russia), PhD (Techn.), ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2254-1452, Scopus Author ID: 57226783594, kuchugura@mail.ru

Mikhail V. Vasekha, Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Arctic Logistics, Federal Research Center Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (14 Fersman St., Apatity, 183010, Russia), DSc (Techn.), ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0672-5662, Scopus Author ID: 6505839418, vasyoha@mail.ru

Denis A. Erofeev, Lecturer, Department of Theory and History of State and Law, Murmansk Arctic University (13 Sportivnaya St., Murmansk, 183010, Russia), ORCID ID: 0009-0008-9469-001Х, zakon.51erofeev@yandex.ru

Andrey R. Gafurov, Associate Professor, Department of Economics and Management, Murmansk Arctic University (13 Sportivnaya St., Murmansk, 183010, Russia), PhD (Econ.), ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7901-7694, Scopus Author ID: 572-011-88-298, gafurovar-mstu@yandex.ru

Ekaterina A. Rumiantceva, Senior Researcher, Murmansk Arctic University (15 Kapitan Egorov St., Murmansk, 183038, Russia), PhD (Phys.-Math.), ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2916-3092, Scopus Author ID: 57205164298, rumkate@rambler.ru

For citation

Vasileva, Zh.V., Vasekha, M.V., Erofeev, D.A., Gafurov, A.R. and Rumiantceva, E.A., 2026. International Environmental Standards as a Regulator of Marine Economic Activities in the Arctic. Ecological Safety of Coastal and Shelf Zones of Sea, (1), pp. 129–145.

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