Jakarta — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is on track to finalise a historic package of climate measures to decarbonise the global shipping industry. At the heart of this week’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) session in London is the “IMO Net-Zero Framework” — a sweeping plan that could reshape how ships are fueled and how emissions are priced worldwide, the IMO said in a statement on Thursday, April 3.
The framework, which includes amendments to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), is expected to be approved by MEPC 83 by the end of the session on 11 April. If approved, it will be circulated immediately, with formal adoption set for an extraordinary MEPC session in October 2025. Under the IMO’s tacit acceptance procedure, the measures could then enter into force 16 months later.
The IMO Net-Zero Framework consists of two core elements: a technical measure, a goal-based marine fuel standard, mandating a phased reduction in the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of marine fuels; and an economic measure, a market-based mechanism that places a price on maritime GHG emissions, creating incentives for cleaner operations.
The proposals reflect commitments made in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, which calls for adopting mid-term climate measures by the end of 2025 to align international shipping with global climate goals.
Key progress on the framework was achieved just ahead of MEPC 83 during the 19th meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 19), held from 31 March to 1 April. Delegates reviewed and refined the draft legal text, including elements from the “bridging option” introduced in February’s previous session. The resulting revised draft was passed to MEPC 83 for continued negotiation and expected endorsement.
What’s next for the net-zero framework
Following anticipated approval this week, the proposed MARPOL amendments will be formally adopted in October 2025. With 108 Parties representing over 97% of global shipping tonnage currently bound by Annex VI, the impact of these measures will be global in scale.
Implementation details, including monitoring, enforcement, and support for developing countries, will be central to discussions in the coming months. A working group under MEPC will continue technical refinements this week and beyond.
While the Net-Zero Framework dominates attention, MEPC 83 is also advancing several related initiatives, including the review of short-term GHG measures; energy efficiency advancements; plastic pollution, with the adoption of the 2025 Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships; and air pollution control.
The outcomes of MEPC 83 will mark a pivotal moment for the global maritime sector, as the IMO pushes forward on its mission to align shipping with a net-zero future. A full summary of decisions is expected following the session’s close on 11 April. (nsh)
Banner photo: Opening of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG, 19th session) at IMO HQ (31-3-25). (Source: International Maritime Organization/handout)
