US ramps up pressure but hope lingers at the IMO

The IMO's Net-Zero Framework could be headed towards adoption, but has come under relentless pressure from a US-Saudi-led coalition.

IMAGE: Headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London. IMO

“It is difficult to comment on the positions of individual countries until it comes to a vote. But so far, the numbers look solid in favour of adoption,” said Christiaan De Beukelaer, senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne, who is attending the IMO’s plenary sessions.

Earlier today, ENGINE reported that several countries that abstained or voted "no" in April have been voicing support for adopting the IMO’s framework this week.

Meanwhile, multiple sources have confirmed that the US and some other countries including Saudi Arabia continue to ramp up pressure during the meetings.

“The fact that the ‘no’ camp is expending enormous energy and effort on obstruction suggests that they too think adoption is likely,” De Beukelaer added.

There could be two votes this week, one on the draft Net-Zero Framework up for adoption and another on the procedure to decide “if the agreement shall be accepted tacitly or explicitly," Nina Porst, director at Danish Shipping told ENGINE.

“If it is the latter, we may have a vote that sees the rules accepted by two-thirds majority - but they may then never enter into force. This would be a defeat for the climate, for multilateralism and for shipping,” she added.

“A ‘no’ vote tomorrow will send a clear message to shipping to continue with business as usual,” said Geir Olafsen, chief product officer at Siglar Carbon. “This will hamper investments and slow down the development of alternative fuels and emission-reduction technologies.”

EU delegations are still pushing for final adoption this week, although “the pressure from some delegations certainly appears high,” another source at the plenary said.

“This is no longer just about the decarbonisation of shipping. Geopolitics is an important factor in the room,” the source added.

MARPOL Annex VI can be amended either through consensus or voting among IMO member states. If no consensus is reached, the amendment process moves to a vote.

Only the 108 countries that have ratified MARPOL Annex VI — out of 176 IMO member states — are eligible to vote. Two-thirds of the ratifying member states that are present and voting must vote in favour for the amendments for them to be adopted.

Once adopted, the amendments could enter a 10-month tacit acceptance period. Amendments will not be accepted if at least one-third of these 108 member states object within that timeframe. The amendments can also be blocked by objections from member states representing a combined 50% or more of global tonnage.

If a sufficient number of objections are not raised, the amendments become effective six months after they are adopted.

By Konica Bhatt

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