IMO MEPC 84th session to be held from 27 April to 1 May

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently published highlights on what to expect at MEPC84, which includes some bunker-related topics:

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) will meet for its 84th session in person at IMO Headquarters in London (with remote participation enabled) from 27 April-1 May 2026. The meeting will be chaired by Dr. Harry Conway (Liberia), with Mr. Hanqiang Tan (Singapore) as Vice-Chair.

MEPC agenda highlights

• Consideration and adoption of amendments to mandatory instruments – MARPOL Annex VI
• Reduction of GHG emissions from ships
• Harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water
• Air pollution prevention
• Energy efficiency of ships
• Addressing marine plastic litter from ships /plastic pellets
• Reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping
• Pollution prevention and response – other matters
• New outputs proposed

Consideration and adoption of amendments to mandatory instruments – MARPOL Annex VI

The Committee will consider, for adoption, draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI:

• Designation of the North-East Atlantic as an Emission Control Area for Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter. Clarification of entries in data reporting required by regulations 27 and 28, under Appendix IX Information to be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database (regulation 27) and making the IMO’s data collection system (IMO DCS) on ship fuel consumption more accessible to the public. The IMO DCS requires ships to record and report their fuel oil consumption, which is then used to calculate ships’ operational carbon intensity (CII).
• Definitions and Appendix I Form of International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate, related to use of multiple engine operational profiles for a marine diesel engine, including clarifying engine test cycles.

Reduction of GHG emissions from ships

Discussions on IMO’s next set of regulatory measures under the IMO Net-Zero Framework were adjourned in October 2025 (MEPC/ES.2). 

Discussions on the way forward in developing IMO’s mid-term GHG reduction measures, including addressing comments and concerns raised during MEPC/ES.2, will continue at MEPC 84, under Agenda Item 7 on Reduction of GHG emissions from ships. A total of 57 documents have been submitted for consideration under this agenda item.

A Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships is expected to be established during the session.

Discussions on options for the resumption of MEPC/ES.2,  will be considered under agenda item 14 “Work programme of the Committee and subsidiary bodies”.

The Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG) is scheduled to meet 20-24 April and will report to MEPC. The ISWG-GHG is expected to further develop guidelines to support implementation of various elements of the proposed IMO Net-Zero Framework without prejudging any future decision of the Committee on adoption of amendments on the IMO Net-Zero Framework and the timelines contained therein. The Group is also expected to further develop the life cycle assessment (LCA)  framework and the draft terms of reference of the planned 5th IMO GHG Study.

Note: The full preview of MPEC 84 can be read here. 

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 27 April, 2026