The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has decided to postpone the adoption of its proposed Net Zero Framework – a major plan that would have introduced new global rules to reduce emissions from the shipping industry.
In a recent episode of BIFA TV, Senior Policy Adviser Robert Windsor explained that although the framework was agreed in draft form earlier this year, the final decision has now been pushed back for 12 months. The discussions will pick up again in 2026.
- The original proposal focused on two big changes:
Setting rules around fuel carbon intensity to help reduce the environmental impact of marine fuels - Introducing a global carbon pricing system, so cleaner vessels would benefit, and higher-emitting ships would face added costs
Global Pressures Shaping the Decision
According to Windsor, the delay wasn’t due to a lack of interest in reducing emissions – it was because countries couldn’t yet agree on the technical details, such as how emissions should be calculated or how any collected funds would be managed and distributed.
Geopolitics also played a part. Reports suggest that the United States, under the Trump administration, strongly opposed the framework and openly rejected it in a joint statement in August 2025. The U.S. argued that the measures amounted to an unfair global carbon tax and signalled potential trade and port-access consequences for countries supporting the plan. This level of pressure appears to have influenced the discussions and likely contributed to the decision to delay the vote.
Other member states also shifted their positions. China, which had previously supported the proposal, voted for the delay. Greece and Cyprus opted to abstain. Their decisions highlighted how complex the issue has become and how much more negotiation is needed before countries can agree on a way forward.
Progress in the industry continues
Even with the pause at policy level, many shipping lines are still investing in cleaner technologies, including dual-fuel and methanol-powered vessels. The wider direction of travel hasn’t changed; the industry continues to move towards lower-emission operations regardless of this temporary hold-up.
For forwarders, hauliers and customers, the message for now is simply to stay informed. This delay gives everyone a little more time to understand what future requirements may look like and to prepare for the changes that are likely to come once discussions resume in 2026.