Nearly 200 shipping companies are urging the world’s largest maritime nations to adopt a proposed regulatory framework that includes a global fee on greenhouse gases from shipping. The vote on this framework is scheduled to take place at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting in London in October 2025.
The Proposed Regulations
In April 2025, IMO member states reached an agreement on the components of a regulatory framework to reduce shipping emissions. This framework includes two key elements:
- A global emissions pricing mechanism that imposes a minimum fee for every tonne of greenhouse gases emitted by ships above certain thresholds.
- A marine fuel standard that will require the phased use of cleaner, low-emissions fuels.
If adopted, these regulations will become mandatory for large oceangoing ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which account for about 85% of total international shipping carbon emissions. The IMO’s overall strategy is to achieve net-zero emissions by or around 2050, with checkpoints for reducing emissions by at least 20% by 2030 and 70% by 2040, compared to 2008 levels.
Support for the Proposal
The Getting to Zero Coalition, an alliance of companies and organizations, is actively pushing for the adoption of the regulations. This is largely because shipping companies believe a single, global system provides the regulatory certainty they need to confidently invest in new technologies and alternative fuels. They argue that a patchwork of regional regulations would create a fragmented and complex system, potentially leading to double-charging for emissions. The International Chamber of Shipping, representing over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet, also supports the proposal.
Opposition and Controversy
The proposal is facing significant opposition, particularly from the U.S. government. Opponents have described the framework as a “global carbon tax” that would drive up costs for American businesses and consumers. There are also concerns that the proposed fuel standards could disproportionately benefit nations that are leading the production of cleaner fuels, such as China. The U.S. government has stated it is prepared to take “reciprocal measures,” such as tariffs or port levies, against countries that support the proposal. However, a majority of countries and a significant portion of the global shipping industry appear to be in favor of the regulations, viewing them as a necessary step to decarbonize the sector.
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Source: AP News
