The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has formally delayed the adoption of its revised greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy, which includes a "net-zero" framework for the shipping sector. The decision was made during the 82nd session of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) in late 2024. The comprehensive mid- and long-term measures, including potential economic instruments like a global fuel standard and a carbon pricing mechanism, are now scheduled for adoption at MEPC 85 in the autumn of 2026.
This postponement follows intense negotiations and reflects significant disagreements among member states on the ambition level and the structure of the measures. The delay provides more time for technical work and political consensus-building but also pushes back the timeline for implementing binding global regulations to decarbonize international shipping.
The shipping industry, responsible for nearly 3% of global CO2 emissions, faces mounting pressure to align with the Paris Agreement goals. The IMO's initial 2023 strategy set targets of reaching net-zero GHG emissions "by or around 2050," but the specific regulatory pathway to achieve this remains under development. The 2026 adoption date means new rules are unlikely to enter into force before the end of this decade.
For major maritime nations and port states like Morocco, the delay creates a period of continued regulatory uncertainty. It offers a temporary reprieve for national fleets and port infrastructure to prepare for the coming transition but also risks slowing down immediate investments in green fuels and technologies needed for the sector's transformation.
