The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has achieved another important step towards establishing a legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships globally, aiming for net-zero emissions by or around, i.e close to 2050.  

The IMO Net-zero Framework is the first in the world to combine mandatory emissions limits and GHG pricing across an entire industry sector.   

Approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 83rd session (MEPC 83) from 7–11 April 2025, 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.  

Closing the meeting, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez commended the spirit of cooperation and commitment demonstrated by Member States this week. He stated: 

“The approval of draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI mandating the IMO net-zero framework represents another significant step in our collective efforts to combat climate change, to modernize shipping and demonstrates that IMO delivers on its commitments.  

“Now, it is important to continue working together, engaging in dialogue and listening to one another, if we are to create the conditions for successful adoption.”  

Key elements of the IMO Net-Zero Framework 

The IMO Net-Zero Framework will be included in a new Chapter 5 of Annex VI (Prevention of air pollution from ships) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).  

MARPOL Annex VI currently has 108 Parties, covering 97% of the world’s merchant shipping fleet by tonnage, and already includes mandatory energy efficiency requirements for ships. 

The goal is to achieve the climate targets set out in the 2023 IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, accelerate the introduction of zero and near zero GHG fuels, technologies and energy sources, and support a just and equitable transition.   

Under the draft regulations, ships will be required to comply with: 

1. Global fuel standard: Ships must reduce, over time, their annual greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI) – that is, how much GHG is emitted for each unit of energy used. This is calculated using a well-to-wake approach.  

2. Global economic measure: Ships emitting above GFI thresholds will have to acquire remedial units to balance its deficit emissions, while those using zero or near-zero GHG technologies will be eligible for financial rewards.  

Ensuring compliance  

There will be two levels of compliance with GHG Fuel Intensity targets: a Base Target and a Direct Compliance Target at which ships would be eligible to earn “surplus units”.   

Ships that emit above the set thresholds can balance their emissions deficit by:  

• Transferring surplus units from other ships;   

• Using surplus units they have already banked;   

• Using remedial units acquired through contributions to the IMO Net-Zero Fund.   

IMO Net-Zero Fund 

The IMO Zet-Zero Fund will be established to collect pricing contributions from emissions. These revenues will then be disbursed to:  

• Reward low-emission ships;  

• Support innovation, research, infrastructure and just transition initiatives in developing countries;  

• Fund training, technology transfer and capacity building to support the IMO GHG Strategy; and  

• Mitigate negative impacts on vulnerable States, such as Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.  

Next steps 

Upon approval, the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI will be formally circulated to IMO Member States, followed by: 

• October 2025 (MEPC/ES.2): Adoption of the amendments during an extraordinary session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee.   

• Spring 2026 (MEPC 84): Approval of detailed implementation guidelines.  

• 2027: Expected entry into force, 16 months after adoption (in accordance with MARPOL articles).  

Other MEPC 83 outcomes 

The meeting discussed a range of issues related to protecting the marine environment from shipping activities, with the following key outcomes: 

• Adoption of 2025 Action Plan to combat marine plastic litter;  

• Progress in the review of the Ballast Water Management Convention; 

• Approval of a proposal to designate the North-East Atlantic as an Emission Control Area and agreement in principle to designate two new Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas off South America’s Pacific coast; 

• Approval of the draft Work plan on the development of a regulatory framework for the use of Onboard Carbon Capture Storage systems (OCCS) 

• Approval of draft amendments to regulation 27 of MARPOL Annex VI regarding accessibility of the IMO Data Collection System 

• Adoption of amendments to the 2021 Guidelines on the operational carbon intensity reduction factors relative to reference lines (CII reduction factors guidelines, G3) 

• Approval of a new output to develop a legally binding framework on biofouling management, to prevent the spread of harmful invasive aquatic species 

***

国际海事组织通过全球航运业净零排放法规

新规草案将制定强制性船用燃料标准及温室气体排放定价机制以应对气候变化

国际海事组织（IMO）在建立具有法律约束力的全球船舶温室气体减排框架方面迈出重要一步，目标是在2050年或前后（即接近2050年）实现净零排放。

此次通过的《IMO净零排放框架》是全球首个针对整个行业部门同时实施强制性排放限制与温室气体定价的监管体系。

该系列措施于2025年4月7-11日举行的海上环境保护委员会第83届会议（MEPC 83）上获得批准，内容包括全新的船舶燃料标准及全球排放定价机制。

这些措施将于2025年10月正式通过，并于2027年生效，届时将强制适用于总吨位超过5000吨的大型远洋船舶——这类船舶目前占国际航运二氧化碳总排放量的85%。

会议闭幕式上，国际海事组织秘书长阿塞尼奥·多明格斯先生赞扬了成员国本周展现的合作精神与承诺。他表示：

"MARPOL附则VI修正案草案的批准，标志着我们在应对气候变化、推动航运业现代化方面又迈出了重要一步。这一具有强制力的IMO净零框架表明，本组织正在切实履行承诺。

"若想为后续顺利通过创造有利条件，各方必须继续保持协作，开展对话并倾听彼此意见。"

国际海事组织净零排放框架核心要素

IMO净零排放框架将被纳入《国际防止船舶造成污染公约》（MARPOL）附则VI（《防止船舶造成空气污染规则》）的新增第5章。

目前，MARPOL附则VI已有108个缔约方，覆盖全球97%商船吨位，并已包含船舶强制性能效要求。

该框架旨在实现《2023年IMO船舶温室气体减排战略》设定的气候目标，加快零及近零GHG排放燃料、技术和能源的应用，并支持公平公正的行业转型。

根据新规草案，船舶须符合以下要求：

1. 全球燃料标准：船舶须逐年降低其年度温室气体燃料强度（GFI），即单位能耗所排放的温室气体量。该指标采用"从油井到螺旋桨"（Well-to-Wake）全生命周期计算法。

2. 全球经济措施：排放超出GFI限值的船舶须购买补救配额以抵消超额排放，而采用零或近零排放技术的船舶则有资格获得资金奖励。

合规执行机制

温室气体燃料强度（GFI）目标将设置两级合规标准：基础目标与直接合规目标。达到直接合规目标的船舶可获得"盈余配额"。

排放超标的船舶可通过以下方式抵消差额：

• 转让其他船舶的盈余配额；

• 使用自身储备的盈余配额；

• 购买通过向IMO净零基金注资获取的补救配额。

IMO净零基金

国际海事组织将设立净零基金，通过排放定价机制筹集资金，用于：

• 奖励低排放船舶；

• 资助发展中国家的创新研发、基础设施建设和公正转型计划；

• 支持IMO温室气体战略相关的培训、技术转移与能力建设；

• 缓解对小岛屿发展中国家和最不发达国家等脆弱国家的负面影响。

后续步骤

在获得批准后，MARPOL附则VI修正案草案将正式分发给IMO成员国，随后按以下时间表推进：

• 2025年10月（MEPC/ES.2）：海上环境保护委员会特别会议通过修正案；

• 2026年春季（MEPC 84）：批准详细实施导则；

• 2027年：预计通过16个月后生效（根据MARPOL条款）。

MEPC 83其他重要成果

会议讨论了航运活动海洋环境保护相关议题，主要成果包括：

• 通过《2025年应对船舶海洋塑料垃圾行动计划》；

• 《压载水管理公约》审议取得进展；

• 批准将东北大西洋划定为排放控制区（ECA），并原则同意在南美洲太平洋沿岸设立两个新的特别敏感海域（PSSA）；

• 批准制定船载碳捕集与封存系统（OCCS）监管框架工作计划草案；

• 通过MARPOL附则VI第27条修正草案（关于IMO数据收集系统的可访问性）；

• 通过经修订的《2021年相对于参考线的营运碳强度折减系数导则》（CII折减系数导则，G3）；

• 批准新议题：制定具有法律约束力的生物污垢管理框架，防止有害水生入侵物种传播。