Slow progress on cleaner shipping fuel puts Arctic communities and ecosystems at risk

Despite broad support for new Arctic fuel rules to cut black carbon, the recent meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s Pollution Prevention and Response Committee (PPR 13) ended in a stalemate. That is bad news for a rapidly warming region. 

A hope that the 9–13 February meeting in London would result in decisive, regulatory action was replaced with growing frustration among the organisations advocating for cleaner, safer Arctic shipping. Although many members voiced support for stronger fuel standards, resistance from a few IMO states continues to stall much‑needed progress. 

The proposal at the centre of the discussions—known as PPR 13-6 and submitted by Denmark on behalf of Greenland, along with France, Germany, and the Solomon Islands—aims to introduce mandatory fuel standards under MARPOL Annex VI. These “polar fuels” would have strict limits on density, viscosity, and carbon residue, effectively preventing the use of heavy residual fuels and cutting black carbon emissions from ships operating in the Arctic. Despite widespread support, a handful of IMO member states resisted using the proposal as the basis for regulation, and the committee postponed further progress for a full year. 

There was also frustration over progress to reduce discharges from exhaust gas, also called scrubbers. The meeting ended with member states and interested parties invited to submit proposals to the next PPR meeting in 2027.  

Discussions on improved sewage treatment systems on new and existing ships resulted in some progress being made. However, specific decisions on sewage treatment plants and monitoring of implementation were postponed until 2027. 

For WWF, the science is clear: cutting black carbon emissions from shipping is one of the fastest and most effective ways to slow Arctic warming. The region is already warming faster than the global average, and delays at the IMO come at a time when swift, ambitious action is essential. 

Sustainable shipping in the Arctic must prioritise low-emission fuels, ban high-risk practices like the use of scrubbers that discharge polluted washwater, and ensure strong protection for vulnerable ecosystems and communities. 

As the Clean Arctic Alliance emphasised, the coming year will be critical. Arctic and climate‑vulnerable states must show leadership and push the IMO to adopt strong, enforceable fuel standards without further delay. Continued inaction would come at a high cost for the Arctic.