IMO Member States approve new measures for net-zero framework

Member States of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have agreed a set of mid-term measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping.  

The regulations were agreed by Member States at the Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 83rd session (MEPC 83), which took place at the IMO headquarters in London, UK, from 7–11 April 2025. The regulations will be formally adopted in October 2025 and will come into force in 2027.  

The measures will be included 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). They will be mandatory for ocean-going ships over 5,000gt, which account for 85 per cent of the total carbon emissions from international shipping, according to the IMO. 

Under the new regulations, ships will be required to reduce, over time, their annual greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI). Any ship producing emissions above GFI thresholds will have to acquire remedial units to balance the deficit emissions. The IMO Net-Zero Fund will be established to collect pricing contributions from emissions. The revenue from this will be used to reward low-emission ships, support research and infrastructure transition initiatives in developing countries, fund training and mitigate negative impacts on vulnerable states. 

The IMO’s net-zero framework is the first legally binding framework in the world to combine mandatory emissions limits and GHG pricing across the maritime industry in an effort to address climate change and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. 

“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 modernise shipping and demonstrates that IMO delivers on its commitments,” said Arsenio Dominguez, secretary general of the IMO. “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.”   

Detailed implementation guidelines are expected to be announced at the 84th MEPC session in spring 2026.  

Find out more about the MEPC on the IMO website.