EU Framework: Legal Studies Related to Maritime Affairs. Lot 2, WP6 Legal analysis of navigation Regimes in the Arctic (Russia, Norway, Iceland, Canada, US)

The main purpose of this Study was to examine the international legal regime that applies to the ‘Arctic marine area’ in terms of shipping and related activities and to analyze the national legislation of the six Arctic coastal States - Canada, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation and the United States of America - in light of this international legal regime.

In particular, questions regarding what restrictions are currently placed on Arctic navigation by international law and the national legislation of the six coastal States.  

Within this the major question of interest was under which navigation regime (or regimes) would vessels flying the flag of EU Member States be entitled to operate in Arctic waters?