Rules for Maritime GHG Emissions Shelved For Now

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has delayed by one year its decision on establishing rules to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international maritime shipping, which contributes about 3% of total global emissions.

The decision to adjourn the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and delay adoption of the Net-Zero Framework comes amid reports of pressure from the U.S., including threats of tariffs and other economic penalties against nations voting in favor of the rules.

European Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera criticized the decision in a Bluesky post, saying it had taken “years to build proposals to enhance committed clean shipping supporting decarbonisation, ocean health and innovation.”

Work on Net-Zero Framework Will Continue

The IMO's Net-Zero Framework constitutes Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). MARPOL was adopted in 1973 to prevent accidental and operational pollution from marine shipping.

The Net-Zero Framework complements the IMO's 2023 GHG Strategy and includes two main elements: a global fuel standard to reduce the pollution ships produce and a pricing mechanism for GHG emissions to encourage compliance with that standard. It applies to all oceangoing ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which are responsible for 85% of GHG from shipping.

Under the framework, if a ship's GHG emissions exceed its GHG fuel intensity (GFI) limits, the operator must offset the deficit by transferring surplus units banked from previous years or from other over-compliant ships, or by paying into the IMO Net-Zero Fund to support innovation, technology transfer, and mitigation efforts in vulnerable states. Ships that fully switch to zero-emission fuels can receive financial rewards.

The framework was approved in April 2025 with an expected final vote for implementation at the MEPC meeting taking place from October 14-17, 2025.

While the MEPC will continue to work on implementing the Net-Zero Framework during the adjournment period, critics say the delay is a serious setback for reducing maritime emissions.

“Today's adjournment is a disappointing setback for shipping, but not the end of this journey,” said Global Maritime Forum Director of Decarbonization Jesse Fahnestock in a press release. “The adjournment for a full year creates serious challenges for meeting the timelines in the Net-Zero Framework agreed in April and will make delivery of the sector's decarbonisation targets even more challenging.”

In a press release, the Clean Shipping Coalition's representative at the IMO, John Maggs, said adjourning the decision not only squanders the opportunity to tackle global shipping emissions and their contribution to climate change but also flies in the face of the support the shipping industry has expressed for the rules.

“While the Net-Zero Framework is far from perfect, adopting it would have been an important step to deliver on the IMO's commitment and send key signals to an industry that was not only asking for a global framework, but actively supported this deal,” Maggs said.

Prior to the meeting, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents more than 80% of the world's merchant fleets, expressed its full support for the Net-Zero Framework.

“Only global rules will decarbonise a global industry,” said the ICS in its statement. “Without the framework, shipping would risk a growing patchwork of unilateral regulations, increasing costs without effectively contributing to decarbonisation.”

Following the meeting, ICS Secretary General Thomas A. Kazakos emphasized that the delay creates uncertainty for shipping companies seeking to build strategies and plan investments.

“We are disappointed that member states have not been able to agree on a way forward at this meeting,” said Kazakos. “Industry needs clarity to be able to make the investments needed to decarbonise the maritime sector, in line with the goals set out in the IMO GHG strategy.”