IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez during closing remarks of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 2nd extraordinary session, October 17, 2025. Photo courtesy IMO<\/p>\n
IMO\u2019s MEPC 84 Opens as Key Test for Delayed Shipping Climate Pact<\/p>\n
The\u00a0International Maritime Organization\u00a0convenes its 84th Marine Environment Protection Committee session in London next week under the shadow of last year\u2019s<\/p>\n
of the sector\u2019s proposed<\/p>\n
, but with a broader agenda that could shape everything from shipping emissions rules to air pollution controls and underwater noise.<\/p>\n
While a final decision on the delayed climate package is not expected until later this year, MEPC 84 is widely seen as an important political and technical waypoint that could help determine whether a path back to agreement still exists.<\/p>\n
The session, chaired by Liberia\u2019s Dr. Harry Conway, will be the first MEPC gathering since governments voted in October to adjourn adoption of the proposed framework by one year, after a contentious 57-49 vote with 21 abstentions due to<\/p>\n
from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. That decision halted what would have been adoption of the world\u2019s first global carbon pricing mechanism for an industry.<\/p>\n
Now negotiators return to the issue under Agenda Item 7 on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, where 57 submissions have been tabled, underscoring both the complexity and weight of the debate. A dedicated working group on GHG reductions is expected to be established, while delegates will also consider options for resuming the extraordinary MEPC session where the framework was paused.<\/p>\n
Those discussions are expected to be informed by this week\u2019s intersessional greenhouse gas talks, which continued work on implementation guidelines tied to elements of the proposed framework, including lifecycle fuel assessments and the draft terms of reference for the fifth IMO greenhouse gas study.<\/p>\n
Supporters see MEPC 84 as a chance to begin narrowing divisions over unresolved questions including carbon pricing, revenue distribution and greenhouse gas fuel-intensity rules.<\/p>\n
\u201cMEPC 84 could\u2026 point to a direction towards which the NZF discussion could be steered so that agreement could eventually be reached,\u201d analysts at the\u00a0University College London\u00a0said in a pre-meeting assessment.<\/p>\n
Recent signals suggest those divisions remain sharp. European states have<\/p>\n
moved to defend the framework\u2019s carbon-pricing core<\/p>\n
ahead of the meeting, while Japan and some shipping interests have floated alternatives. The United States remains opposed.<\/p>\n
Still, some officials see room for progress. Norway\u2019s environment minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen said this week the IMO still has a chance to strike a historic deal, but may need to consider \u201cdifferent approaches\u201d to avoid a repeat of last year\u2019s breakdown.<\/p>\n
Groups including\u00a0BIMCO,\u00a0International Chamber of Shipping\u00a0and the\u00a0World Shipping Council\u00a0have<\/p>\n
prolonged uncertainty risks undermining investment signals as carriers weigh major commitments tied to low- and zero-emission fuels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe industry remains unified in its commitment to the value and effectiveness of the IMO as the global regulator for international shipping,\u201d the groups said in a joint statement ahead of the meeting.<\/p>\n
MEPC 84 is also expected to consider adoption of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, including designation of the North-East Atlantic as an Emission Control Area for nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate matter \u2014 a potentially significant expansion of emissions controls.<\/p>\n
Delegates will also consider changes related to the IMO fuel consumption data collection system and operational carbon intensity reporting, along with work on ballast water, marine plastic litter, plastic pellet pollution, energy efficiency, air pollution prevention and underwater radiated noise.<\/p>\n
Beyond the climate debate, the breadth of the agenda underscores that MEPC 84 carries implications well beyond the fate of the Net-Zero Framework.<\/p>\n
While much attention will focus on whether negotiators can narrow divisions over the delayed climate package, the committee will also continue advancing environmental rules even as broader political questions remain unresolved.<\/p>\n