Port & Regulatory

IMO: Outcomes of Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83)

IMO releases a detailed meeting summary of MEPC which met for its 83rd session from 7 to 11 April 2025 including on IMO Net-zero Framework and North-East Atlantic Ocean Emissions Control Area.

Published

1 year ago

April 17, 2025

Admin

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Wednesday (16 April) released a detailed meeting summary of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) which met for its 83rd session in person at IMO Headquarters in London from 7 to 11 April 2025.

The meeting approved the draft legal text for the IMO Net-Zero Framework, which is the first in the world to combine mandatory emissions limits and GHG pricing across an entire industry sector.  The measures include a new fuel standard for ships and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.

These measures, set to be formally adopted in October 2025 before entry into force in 2027, will become mandatory for large ocean-going ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which emit 85% of the total CO2 emissions from international shipping. 

MEPC 83 was preceded by the 19th meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 19), from 31 March to 1 April and the first meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency (ISWG-APEE 1), from 2 to 4 April.

MEPC 83 highlights:

Tackling climate change – Mid-term measures to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping approved
Review of the short-term GHG reduction measures – Phase 1 completed
Report on the annual carbon intensity and energy efficiency of the fleet
Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) and other energy efficiency matters
Addressing marine plastic litter – Action Plan approved
North-East Atlantic Ocean Emissions Control Area approved and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas off Peru agreed in principle
Review of the Ballast Water Management Convention – ongoing
Air pollution prevention – various developments
Amendments to NOx Technical Code adopted
Pollution prevention and response – actions taken
Reports from other Sub-Committees approved
New outputs approved – including development of a legally binding instrument on biofouling as well as assessment of the implementation of the Hong Kong Ship Recycling Convention and development of amendments and clarifications as appropriate.

Tackling climate change – Mid-term measures to reduce GHG emissions approved

The Committee finalized and approved the draft legal text for the “IMO Net-Zero Framework”, to be included as a new chapter in Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI were circulated to Member States immediately after the meeting, with a view to adoption at an extra-ordinary session of MEPC in October 2025. (See Circular Letter: CL No.5005 – Draft Revised MARPOL Annex VI )

The IMO Net-Zero Framework includes 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 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. These measures 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.

Following adoption, the measures are expected to enter into force 16 months later, under the “tacit acceptance” procedure, in accordance with the amendment provisions in MARPOL. (More details: IMO approves net-zero regulations for global shipping)

Food security

The Committee agreed that in the period between the adoption of the IMO Net-Zero Framework and its entry into force, further assessment (qualitative and quantitative, as appropriate) of the potential impacts of an increase in maritime transport costs on food security resulting from the adopted framework should be conducted. The Committee agreed to keep the potential impact on food security under continuous review.

Review of the short-term measure to reduce GHG emissions – Phase 1 completed

The Committee finalized Phase 1 of the review of IMO’s short-term GHG reduction measures, which were adopted in 2021 and entered into force in 2022. Key elements of the short-term measures include: Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), enhanced Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating scheme. The measures aim to improve ship energy efficiency and reduce carbon intensity by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 2008.

The review of the effectiveness of the short-term measures began in July 2023 (MEPC 80). Under Phase 1, the Committee gathered data from Member States about their experience implementing the short-term measures, analyzed this data and identified a list of challenges and/or gaps. At MEPC 83, the Committee took the following actions:

Carbon intensity (CII) reduction factors for 2027-2030 – amendments adopted

The Committee adopted amendments to the 2021 Guidelines on the operational carbon intensity reduction factors relative to reference lines (CII reduction factors guidelines, G3). These Guidelines outline the methods for determining the annual operational carbon intensity reduction factors and their values from 2023 to 2030 (indicating how much carbon intensity need to be reduced by ships over this period to meet targets), as referred to in Regulation 28 of MARPOL Annex VI. The amendments include newly defined CII reduction factors for 2027 to 2030.

Access to the IMO Data Collection System for ship fuel consumption – amendments approved

The Committee approved draft amendments to Regulation 27 of MARPOL Annex VI to make 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). The amendments will ensure that all reported data in the IMO DCS are accessible to Parties to Annex VI, in a non-anonymized form. An anonymized database (i.e., identification of a specific ship will not be possible) will be made accessible to public users.

Workplan for Phase 2 of the review of short-term GHG reduction measures agreed

The Committee agreed on a work plan for Phase 2 of the review of the short-term GHG reduction measures, to run from Spring 2026 to Spring 2028. Phase 2 will look at enhancing the SEEMP framework, further developing CII metrics, as well as ensuring synergies between the IMO carbon intensity/energy efficiency framework and the IMO Net-Zero Framework.

Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) framework – amendments adopted

The Committee adopted Amendments to the 2024 Guidelines for the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) (resolution MEPC.395(82)), to allow the possible development of other CII metrics at future MEPC sessions, as envisaged in the work plan for the review of the short-term GHG reduction measures.

Report on the annual carbon intensity and efficiency of the fleet

The Committee noted the report by the IMO Secretariat on the carbon intensity of the international shipping fleet for the year 2023 (both demand- and supply-based), including a summary of carbon intensity developments of the fleet from 2019 to 2023. The report showed reductions in the carbon intensity of shipping ranging from 4.8% to 9.9% (depending on the method of calculation) from 2019 to 2023, and a decrease in total fuel consumption from 213 million tonnes in 2019 to 211 million tonnes in 2023.

The report also indicated that, compared to 2008 levels, the average carbon intensity of shipping in 2023 has fallen by 31.0% (calculated based on supply measurement) and by 36.5% (based on demand measurement). Download the report here.

North-East Atlantic Ocean Emissions Control Area approved and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas off Peru agreed in principle

The Committee approved a proposal to designate the North-East Atlantic Ocean as an Emissions Control Area for Sulphur oxide emissions (SOX), particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide emissions (NOX). The associated draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI will be submitted to the extraordinary MEPC session in October 2025, with a view to adoption as part of the revised MARPOL Annex VI.

The Committee agreed in principle to the designation of the “Reserva Nacional Dorsal de Nasca” (Nasca Ridge National Reserve) and the “Reserva Nacional Mar Tropical de Grau” (Grau Tropical Sea National Reserve) as Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs). The Committee invited Peru to further develop the proposed associated protective measures and submit them to MEPC for consideration and approval at MEPC 84.

Note: The full meeting summary of MEPC 83 can be viewed here.

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 17 April, 2025

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Singapore-based EPS takes delivery of three LNG dual-fuel bulk carriers

Three vessels are the third, fourth and fifth in the company’s series of 14 Newcastlemaxes being built at the yard, and were delivered five months ahead of their contracted delivery dates.

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September 7, 2026

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Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) on Friday (4 September) announced the naming and delivery of three new LNG dual-fuel Newcastlemax bulk carriers from China’s Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding.

Cyril Ducau, CEO of EPS, said the vessels were named Mount Victoria, Mount Yulong and Mount Wuyi.

The three vessels are the third, fourth and fifth in the company’s series of 14 Newcastlemaxes being built at the yard, and were delivered five months ahead of their contracted delivery dates.

“A big thank you to CSSC Group and Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, working alongside our EPS team, for the tremendous collaboration and commitment behind this achievement,” Ducau said in a social media post.

Photo credit: Eastern Pacific Shipping
Published: 7 September, 2026

Port & Regulatory

ISWG-GHG 22: IMO working group aims to present NZF text at MEPC 85

The Chair expressed his observation of a genuine willingness within the Group to make concrete further progress at the next ISWG-GHG meeting and work towards presenting text to MEPC 85.

Published

6 hours ago

September 7, 2026

Admin

The Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 22) met for its 22nd meeting from 1 to 4 September 2026, chaired by Mr. Sveinung Oftedal (Norway), according to the International Maritime Organization on Friday (4 September).

According to a meeting summary by IMO, the meeting had a high level of participation, with nearly 1200 registered participants, in person and online.

During the meeting participants considered the following agenda items:

Consideration of proposals, including documents submitted to MEPC 84 and 85, previous sessions of ISWG-GHG, as well as documents submitted to ISWG-GHG 22, on how to address concerns with the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on the Net-Zero Framework, in line with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy

Following constructive discussions, the Chair expressed his observation of a genuine willingness within the Group to make concrete further progress at the next ISWG-GHG meeting and work towards presenting text to MEPC 85 that adequately addresses the noted progress made in the consideration of proposals on how to address concerns raised regarding the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on the mid-term measure.

The Group invited interested delegations to continue to consult intersessionally to address remaining concerns with the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, in line with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, taking into account views expressed at the Group’s session, with a view to submitting concrete proposals reflecting enhanced convergence allowing timely adoption and effective implementation.

Further consideration of the draft guidelines supporting the uniform and effective implementation of IMO’s mid-term measures.

The Group held a preliminary exchange of views on this agenda item, although time became a limiting factor and the Group and agreed to defer the consideration of all documents submitted to this session under this agenda item to ISWG-GHG 23 (23-27 November 2026).

Further consideration of the development of the IMO Life Cycle GHG Assessment (LCA) framework.

Due to time constraints, the Group was not able to consider the agenda item related to the IMO Life Cycle GHG Assessment (LCA) framework. The Group deferred the consideration of those documents to ISWG-GHG 23, in conjunction with the report of the fourth meeting of the GESAMP-LCA Working Group expected to be submitted to MEPC 85.

Next steps

The next meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 23) is scheduled for 23 to 27 November 2026, ahead of MEPC 85 (30 November to 3 December).

The second extraordinary session of MEPC (adjourned last October) is scheduled to resume on 4 December, subject to discussions at MEPC 85.

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 7 September, 2026

Port & Regulatory

UCL on ISWG-GHG 22: Majority back GHG pricing, centralised fund in IMO NZF talks

A significant majority of IMO member states backed a centralised system for collecting revenues to reward early adopters and support a just transition, according to UCL.

Published

6 hours ago

September 7, 2026

Admin

UCL Shipping and Oceans Research Group on Friday (4 September) said the IMO’s 22nd Intersessional Working Group on GHG emissions has concluded with significant majority of member states supporting a centralised system for collecting revenues, operationalised through a GHG price (RU price), and disbursing it for rewards for early adopters and supporting a just and equitable transition.

The group of member states focused on a technical-only solution and abandonment of GHG pricing, remained small and consistently composed of strongly fossil fuel aligned governments.

Just as at MEPC 84, the political dynamics observed at MEPC.ES2 did not occur in this meeting.

The discussions were more representative of the ISWG-GHG 19 and MEPC 83 negotiating dynamics, but this does not rule out the potential for the dynamics that occurred at MEPC.ES2 returning in future meetings. That said, there was reassuring evidence from the week that reduces that risk, including in the contrast between strong public (press) positions taken against the IMO’s NZF, and the substance of how delegations negotiated in the meeting.

Dr Tristan Smith, Professor of Energy and Transport at UCL Shipping and Oceans Research Group, said: “Whilst there are many positives to take away – there is clear potential for a return to a strong policy solution and decision making this December, there remains high uncertainty in the extent that both industry’s transition and low-income countries’ transitions will be supported.

“There remains high risk that in the effort to find a creative way forwards, the equilibrium between these two aspects, that enabled the NZF in the first place, is lost to the detriment of the outcome overall.”

In addition to the discussion on centralised system for revenue collection and disbursement, the meeting discussed a number of other items as guided by the chair, discussed in detail with member state positions in the readout. Some of these included:

GFI (Global Fuel Intensity) reduction pathway: GFI is likely to be softened initially (around 2030), but then steeper in the period to 2040.
ZNZ rewards: ZNZ reward still broadly supported and a priority to many member states, but the broad support for a multiplier, despite it being taken off the table at the last meeting, could yet lead this to be incorporated to provide incentivisation.
Compliance approaches:
Most interventions confirmed support for the compliance mechanisms as setup in NZF ‘as is’. The strongest support was for the two least controversial options common to all proposals: reducing GHG intensity and pooling/transfer of SU.
Direct contributions: Japan’s proposal to replace GHG pricing with shipowner-directed contributions was robustly rejected, particularly by the member states that would need to ‘swing’ to support it for this to start to build momentum.
SU (Surplus Units) trading: Majority of member states opposed the inclusion of energy efficiency SU credits and the concept of printing SU’s to manage an SU price shock, citing various reasons, primarily a concern that this would destabilise the SU market and undermine investment predictability.
Netting: China’s proposal to balance of RU and reward payments that could be netted to form a single transaction received broad support. However, the details of the concept will now need to be set out in guidelines and there remain a number of issues regarding this approach, as raised by several delegations.