The European Parliament voted in favour of a resolution that would seek to prevent ships transiting Arctic waters from using heavy fuel oil (HFO).
In a 334-to-265 vote, the Parliament passed its "Resolution on the Arctic."
The resolution seeks to push the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to start considering a formal ban on HFO use in Arctic shipping.
The IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is scheduled to meet in July, A report is likely to be submitted regarding the risks of HFO in Arctic water.
“Today, the elected representatives of European citizens have delivered a clear message to the International Maritime Organization - it’s time to ban the use of heavy fuel oil from Arctic shipping," said Sian Prior, advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance, which supported the resolution.
"By putting a ban in place by 2020, the IMO has an opportunity to reduce both the impact of oil spills and the levels of pollutants which drive the melting of Arctic snow and ice."
The cruise ship has already responded to calls for banning HFO from the region.
The Association of Arctic Cruise Operators, which includes Lindblad Expeditions and Hurtigruten, have also pledged not to use HFO in their Arctic cruises.
