IMO Secretary-General: ‘No doubt’ delegates will achieve compromise on GHG Strategy

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Monday (7 April) has started its 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) at IMO Headquarters in London (with remote participation enabled) which will run until 11 April.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, in his opening remarks yesterday, said delegates are expected to approve draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI mandating the IMO net-zero framework, which will then become mandatory.

“I have no doubt you will achieve the necessary compromise so at the end of the week we will be able to take another significant step forward in the work of this Organization to comply with the goals set out in the IMO GHG Strategy,” he said.

“Therefore, to set an example, I will keep it brief and hope that you follow the same example when we discuss this important topic.”

The 2023 IMO GHG Strategy outlines a set of “mid-term measures” aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping in line with the reduction targets set out in the Strategy. These measures should consist of: 

• a technical element: a goal-based marine fuel standard designed to gradually lower the GHG intensity of marine fuels; and 
• an economic element: a pricing mechanism for maritime GHG emissions.

The Committee is expected to finalise draft legal text for these measures, referred to as the “IMO Net-Zero Framework”. 

This will consist of amendments to Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, expected to be approved by MEPC 83 for circulation immediately after the meeting, with a view to adoption by an extra-ordinary session of MEPC in October 2025.  

Additionally, the Committee will be invited to approve the provisional agenda for the forthcoming Extraordinary Session (MEPC/ES.2), scheduled for October 2025 which is expected to formally adopt a revised MARPOL Annex VI, incorporating the IMO Net-Zero Framework. 

Following adoption, depending on the decision of the Committee, the measures could enter into force 16 months later, under the “tacit acceptance” procedure.  

Note: A preview and list of highlights that will be addressed at MEPC 83 can be found here. 

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 8 April, 2025