The International Maritime Organization has signed off on new draft regulations that could transform the global shipping industry, setting it on course to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by around 2050. The rules were approved during the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) meeting last week and mark the first binding effort of its kind for international shipping.
The plan calls for a mandatory reduction in the carbon intensity of marine fuels, using a “well-to-wake” measurement that captures emissions from production to consumption. Large vessels—specifically those over 5,000 gross tons, which account for the majority of emissions—will be required to meet these standards or face financial penalties.
At the center of the new framework is a pricing mechanism for emissions. Ships that exceed allowable thresholds will have to buy remedial units, while those using low-emissions or zero-emissions technologies could receive credits or compensation. The details are still being finalized, but the move is a clear signal that carbon will carry a cost at sea.
Formal adoption of the regulations is scheduled for October 2025, with enforcement expected to begin in 2027.
To back the implementation, the IMO also introduced plans for a global Net-Zero Transition Fund. The fund will channel revenue collected through emissions pricing into support for decarbonization efforts across the sector.
That includes financial rewards for low-emission vessels, as well as investments in infrastructure, innovation, and training—especially for developing countries. The goal is to avoid leaving behind vulnerable nations and ensure that all regions can participate in the shift to a cleaner maritime industry.
The transition fund is also designed to help address potential economic disruptions caused by the new rules, particularly for small island states and least developed countries that depend on maritime trade.
With momentum growing globally around climate accountability, this move puts the shipping sector more squarely in line with international climate goals. While not yet finalized, the framework sends a clear message: the age of unchecked emissions at sea is coming to a close.
