The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved a framework aiming for net-zero emissions for the global shipping industry by or around 2050. The measures include a new fuel standard for ships, and a global pricing mechanism for emissions. The IMO said its Net-zero Framework is the first in the world to combine mandatory emissions limits and GHG pricing across an entire industry sector.
The measures will become mandatory for large ocean-going ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which emit 85% of the total CO2 emissions from international shipping. Formal adoption is set for a IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting in October 2025 before entry into force in 2027.
Approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 83rd session (MEPC 83) the framework states that ships must reduce their annual greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI)–that is, how much GHG is emitted for each unit of energy used. This is calculated using a well-to-wake approach, meaning everything from fuel production to use.
Any ships that emit above GFI thresholds must acquire remedial units, essentially compliance credits, through contributions to the IMO Net-Zero Fund. They can transfer surplus units from other ships, or use banked surplus units to balance their deficit emissions.
The IMO can use funds from the Net-Zero Fund to reward ships that use zero or net-zero GHG technologies. They can also use the funds to mitigate negative impacts on vulnerable States, such as Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries; to support innovation, research, infrastructure and just transition initiatives in developing countries; and for training, technology transfer and capacity building to support the IMO GHG Strategy.
“The approval of draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI mandating the IMO net-zero framework represents another significant step in our collective efforts to combat climate change, to modernize shipping and demonstrates that IMO delivers on its commitments,” said IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez. “Now, it is important to continue working together, engaging in dialogue and listening to one another, if we are to create the conditions for successful adoption.”
The IMO will include the Net-Zero Framework in a new Chapter 5 of Annex VI (Prevention of air pollution from ships) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). MARPOL Annex VI currently has 108 Parties, covering 97% of the world’s merchant shipping fleet by tonnage, and already includes mandatory energy efficiency requirements for ships.
The goal is to achieve the climate targets set out in the 2023 IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, accelerate the introduction of zero and near zero GHG fuels, technologies and energy sources, and support a just and equitable transition.
Other key outcomes of MEPC 83
There were several other key outcomes of MEPC 83 including
- Adoption of 2025 Action Plan to combat marine plastic litter;
- Progress in the review of the Ballast Water Management Convention;
- Approval of a proposal to designate the North-East Atlantic as an Emission Control Area and agreement in principle to designate two new Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas off South America’s Pacific coast;
- Approval of the draft Work plan on the development of a regulatory framework for the use of Onboard Carbon Capture Storage systems (OCCS)
- Approval of draft amendments to regulation 27 of MARPOL Annex VI regarding accessibility of the IMO Data Collection System
- Adoption of amendments to the 2021 Guidelines on the operational carbon intensity reduction factors relative to reference lines (CII reduction factors guidelines, G3)
- Approval of a new output to develop a legally binding framework on biofouling management, to prevent the spread of harmful invasive aquatic species
