IAPH MD backs IMO Net-Zero Framework, warns of consequences if vote fails
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by Admin
International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) Managing Director Patrick Verhoeven on Tuesday (16 September) issued a stark warning about the consequences of having a negative outcome from the upcoming vote to adopt the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF) measures at the extraordinary MEPC meeting which will take place in mid October.
As IMO Member States are set to vote in the week of 13 October on crucial amendments to the MARPOL Convention, the IAPH Managing Director urged all stakeholders to support a global economic measure, warning that a mixture of national and regional measures could spell a “disaster for the maritime energy transition.”
Verhoeven called upon IMO Member States to vote in favour of the amendments: “Adopting the IMO Net Zero Framework which was agreed upon last April will send a clear signal to industry, providing the incentive that is needed for the uptake of new low and zero carbon fuels. IAPH supports the economic measure as it will also provide vital funding for infrastructure investments in ports of developing countries, in order for them not to be left behind in the energy transition.”
Verhoeven said a failure to adopt the Framework would create absolute investment uncertainty, both for shipping companies and ports, and with that significantly delay the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
“Achieving IMO’s net zero targets would become impossible. It would most likely lead to more regional decarbonisation measures for shipping, adding to those already introduced through the Emission Trading Scheme by the EU,” he said.
“This will result in a complex regulatory patchwork which will be extremely challenging for ship owners and operators to comply with and which will have unintended consequences like we have already seen in the case of Europe. A mixture of national and regional measures could spell a disaster for the maritime energy transition.”
Last year, IAPH submitted a report to the IMO presenting the findings of a study it commissioned from Maritime & Transport Business Solutions (MTBS) to make on port climate adaptation and decarbonisation investment needs of developing nations.
The report highlights how the IMO Net Zero Fund can be used to help developing countries invest in adaptation and mitigation measures in their ports, by providing a reserve to support the just transition of these countries.
The costs of port decarbonisation infrastructure will vary widely depending on port size, location, existing infrastructure, existing activities, prior adaptation and mitigation plans. However, supported by numerous cases studies in developing countries, the report estimated that the total investment needs for port adaptation and mitigation in developing countries roughly amounts to between 55 to 83 billion USD.
With the voting on the adoption of the Net-Zero Framework fast approaching next month, the shipping industry and countries have been divided, with some getting behind it and some fiercely against it.
In August, the United States vocally rejected the Framework, aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions from the international shipping sector and threatened retaliation against countries that support the Framework.
ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki joined the US in its resistance, saying IMO needs to take a “timeout” and rethink the Framework.
The Getting to Zero Coalition, which includes over 180 companies active in the global shipping industry, issued a statement calling for IMO Member States to adopt the carbon pricing scheme, saying failture to do so risks significant negative consequences for the shipping industry.
Related: US pushes back against IMO Net-Zero Framework, warns ‘retaliation’ against supporters
Related: IMO needs to take a ‘timeout’ and rethink Net-Zero Framework, says ABS Chairman and CEO
Related: Coalition urges Member States to support adoption of IMO’s Net-Zero Framework
Photo credit: International Association of Ports and Harbors
Published: 18 September, 2025
