<p data-path-to-node="3" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="3" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">LONDON / GENEVA</b> — Following intense intersessional negotiations at its headquarters along the Albert Embankment in London, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the core architecture of the <b data-path-to-node="3" data-index-in-node="241" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Net-Zero Framework (NZF)</b> under MARPOL Annex VI, keeping the landmark international decarbonization regime on track toward its critical end-of-year adoption milestones despite significant pushback and competing proposals from regional shipowner blocs and oil-producing states.</p><p data-path-to-node="4" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">The conclusion of the Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 22) confirmed that the foundational pillars of the NZF—a goal-based, lifecycle <b data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="185" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Greenhouse Gas Fuel Intensity (GFI)</b> standard combined with a mandatory economic <b data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="265" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">GHG compliance-pricing mechanism</b>—remain the leading path forward. The framework establishes binding statutory obligations for all commercial oceangoing tonnage of 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) and above, a segment responsible for over 85% of global international shipping emissions.</p><h6 data-path-to-node="8" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b>Deep Carrier and Sovereign Divisions at the Negotiating Table</b></h6><p data-path-to-node="9" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">While plenary talks affirmed that 38 voting member states explicitly supported retaining the central carbon-pricing and revenue mechanism, 17 nations voiced strong opposition, exposing deep fault lines across the maritime industry:</p><ol start="1" data-path-to-node="10" style="padding-inline-start: 32px; font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">The Pure Technical Group (Liberia, Panama, Shipowner Federations):</b> Major open flag registries—backed by traditional shipowners and tanker associations—tabled submissions seeking to decouple technical fuel intensity rules from an economic carbon price. Their proposal advocates eliminating mandatory Remedial Unit fees and the centralized UN fund entirely, arguing instead that compliance should be achieved purely through private bilateral trading of Surplus Units between commercial carriers.</p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Developing Exporter &amp; Trade-Reliant Blocs (Brazil, China, South Africa):</b> Large bulk-exporting nations expressed severe concerns regarding the potential of flat carbon penalties to inflate long-haul ocean freight rates on basic commodities. Brazil has advanced a revenue-neutral feebate system (IMSF), while China and Asian logistics associations have pushed for broader flexibility, demanding explicit regulatory crediting for onboard energy-saving technologies like wind-assist rotor sails, air lubrication, and shore power.</p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">High-Ambition Blocs &amp; SIDS (EU, UK, Tuvalu, 6PAC+):</b> European maritime administrations, Norway, and Pacific and Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) argued that stripping or softening the $100/$380 economic pricing mechanism would fatally compromise the IMO's target of reaching net-zero emissions by or around 2050. Island nations continue to advocate for a universal GHG levy of $150 to $300+ per tonne to guarantee substantial out-of-sector adaptation funding.</p></li></ol><h6 data-path-to-node="11" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b>Countdown to MEPC 85 and Commercial Realities</b></h6><p data-path-to-node="12" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">With working group delegates failing to coalesce around any single alternative proposal, the original Net-Zero Framework remains the definitive blueprint heading into the final diplomatic window:</p><ul data-path-to-node="13" style="padding-inline-start: 32px; font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="13,0,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="13,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">November 23–27, 2026:</b> Final technical drafting at ISWG-GHG 23.</p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="13,1,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="13,1,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">November 30 – December 3, 2026:</b> Plenary policy decisions during MEPC 85.</p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="13,2,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="13,2,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">December 4, 2026:</b> Resumed 2nd Extraordinary Session of the MEPC (MEPC/ES.2) for the formal, legally binding adoption of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, targeting global enforcement entry by early 2028.</p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="14" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">Maritime legal analysts and commercial liner executives emphasize that delaying preparations is no longer an option. With major global alliances having already invested tens of billions in dual-fuel container vessels and wind-assist tech, the preservation of the IMO's timeline ensures that global shipping is moving irreversibly toward a unified, carbon-priced operating environment.</p>