On April 11 2025, Member States of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations (UN) body that focuses on issues relating to the maritime sector, voted to pass the draft regulations for IMO Net-Zero Framework, which combines mandatory emissions limits and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) pricing for international shipping, during the Marine Environment Protection Committee’s 83rd session (MEPC 83). The Framework is a crucial step towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as laid out in the revised 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, a nonbinding document agreed on by all IMO Member States, which, in large part, was agreed due to the fact that the shipping sector (responsible for almost 80% of global trade) contributes almost 3% of all global GHG emissions (IMO 2023). A simple majority vote by the 176 Member States was conducted, with 63 members approving, 16 members rejecting, and the remaining members abstaining. The voting was very uncommon (as IMO votes have typically been unanimous) and was preceded by the United States pulling out of the negotiations, highlighting the divisions that exist – some due to a perception of a lack of ambition in setting higher emissions targets, and others due to some members believing that the imposition of global emissions pricing will be a precursor to a global carbon tax. The outcome indicates that a second vote will likely be held during the October 2025 extraordinary session, which requires a two-thirds majority of the MARPOL Annex VI signatory countries to vote in favor of the regulation for it to enter into force (Lloyd’s Register 2025).
