US rejects adoption of IMO’s net-zero framework

The Trump administration has threatened to retaliate against IMO member states that support the adoption of the UN shipping agency’s net-zero framework in October.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump. Flicker of Trump White House Archives

“Our fellow IMO members should be on notice that we will look for their support against this action and not hesitate to retaliate or explore remedies for our citizens should this endeavor fail,” a statement by the US Department of State noted.

The administration has “unequivocally” rejected the framework on the premise that it would impose “unduly or unfairly” burdens on the US, even alleging the fuel standards would benefit China by “requiring the use of expensive fuels unavailable at global scale.”

The warning comes after the US withdrew from IMO talks in April.

Back in April, IMO member states approved draft amendments to Chapter 5 of the MARPOL Annex VI convention – which includes the net-zero framework – despite lack of support from the US.

The April draft introduced two-tiered greenhouse gas (GHG) fuel standard, that will require ships to progressively reduce their well-to-wake GHG fuel intensity (GFI) from 2028 onwards. The targets are benchmarked against 2008 levels, set at 93.30 grams of CO2-equivalent per megajoule (gCO2e/MJ).

Higher cost of bunkering these fuels and additional penalties for failing to meet compliance will “drive up energy and transportation and leisure cruise costs”, the Trump administration says.

Path to implementation

The MEPC is expected to consider adoption of the final text at an extraordinary meeting in October.

Under IMO procedures, once adopted the amendments would enter into force in 2027 via tacit acceptance, with the new standards applying from 2028. A two-thirds majority of MARPOL Annex VI Parties is required for adoption.

It should be noted that if implemented, ships calling at ports of ratifying states will face enforcement through port-state control under the IMO’s no more favourable treatment clause for non-Parties, even if the US or other nations do not agree to the amendments.

By Konica Bhatt

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