Those who, from the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held last week in London, awaited a conclusive answer on the adoption of Net-Zero Framework, the global package of measures to decarbonise maritime transport by 2050. The dissatisfied with the outcome of the meeting, however, seem to be few because, in the end, the interlocutory outcome of the session satisfies those who hoped for a positive decision but at the same time feared a rejection of the measures, as well as those who had an expectation diametrically opposed.

Everyone appreciated the technical advances made by the MEPC 84, in particular with regard to the development of guidelines on the carbon intensity of fuels, on the monitoring and certification methodologies and on short-term measures emission reduction period, but it has been found that the persistence of political divisions over the future of the Decarbonization of shipping among the nations in favor of swift adoption of the regulatory framework and those calling for a more gradual and market-oriented approach readiness", which allows operators to use the technologies. the fuels and infrastructure currently available and to cope with decarbonisation costs for them sustainable.

If the work continues, the work will continue within the two groups (ISWG-GHG), with meetings scheduled between the first and 4th of September and between the 23rd and the 27th of November next, The most important event will be the 85th MEPC session currently scheduled for 4 December which will re-examine the issues addressed in the 84th session.

"We are - commented the Secretary General of the IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, at the end of the meeting - again on the good but we have to rebuild trust. I encourage you to Maintain this momentum throughout your intersessional work and to prepare contributions that can unite members".

Last week, among other items on the agenda, MEPC adopted a new Emission Control Zone (ECA) in the North-East Atlantic, introducing limits of emissions for nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides (SOX) and particulate matter. The date of entry into force is set for 1 September 2027, with the ECA becoming effective 12 months later, in 2028. ECA covers economic zones exclusive and territorial waters, extending up to 200 miles from the respective baselines of Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Ireland, Mainland UK, France, Spain and Portugal. Within ECAs, ships must use fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.10%.

Among the first reactions to the outcome of the 84th session of the MEPC, the Transport & Environment (T&E) federation, the European organisation that promotes sustainability transport system, highlighted that Member States United they have not succeeded in derailing the negotiations, which - T&E underlined - ended with the confirmation of Net Zero Framework "despite a week of pressure and tactics delaying measures by the USA. If the United States and its allies - noted the federation in a note - have managed to obtain a tactical postponement of the discussion until the autumn, the EU and other countries have refused to leave the NZF."

"It is a relief - said Felix Klann, head of policy maritime T&E - that the Net Zero Framework has survived, but - he specified - the IMO cannot allow postponements become the new normal. This is not the time to compromise that would dilute the agreement or postpone the problem. This would only benefit Trump and his friends oilmen. Ambitious governments need to use the extra time to reaffirm their commitment to a genuine agreement for the zero emissions. We cannot be satisfied with a weak agreement that merely ratifies the status quo precisely when the action for the climate is more necessary."

"Now," Klann concluded, "the EU must remain calm and refusing to accept an agreement emptied by pressure Americans. Any attempt to weaken Net Zero Framework would now be a gift to the oil lobby, in a time when oil prices are skyrocketing and the cost of of inaction is higher than ever. If you lose ambition along the way, it will be necessary to intervene in regional level to fill the void".

The World Shipping Council (WSC), the association that represents the main shipping companies in the transport sector containers, defined last week's confrontation "encouraging and necessary to achieve the IMO Strategy for 2023 greenhouse gas emissions". "It is - he said observed the president and CEO of the WSC, Joe Kramek - of discussions complex and, at times, difficult. But the continued commitment of governments It is essential to maintain progress. The liner shipping has already invested 150 billion dollars in new dual-fuel ships that have the potential to reduce their emissions. But the realization of these emissions reductions depend on reaching an agreement on an effective global framework". Kramek pointed out that the the Secretary-General of the IMO himself has recognised the role of the shipping industry in these discussions, emphasizing that those who implement the rules must continue to be closely involved in the negotiations. Regarding progress in the technical work in support of a comprehensive measure for the decarbonisation of maritime transport carried out last year Kramek noted that "these are steps concrete, which count. They affect how they are used fuels, how emissions are measured and whether the measures future can be effectively implemented".

The International Shipowners' Association International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) welcomed the new postponement of the vote on the Net-Zero Framework: "the constructive dialogue that took place this week - commented the secretary General of the ICS, Thomas A. Kazakos - is extremely Although it is clear that many Member States are not yet able to adopt a global regulatory framework without further modifications. The maritime industry is fully committed to achieving the objectives of the IMO Gas Emissions Strategy greenhouse in 2023 and has already achieved substantial reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. It is crucial that governments move as soon as possible towards the adoption of a global framework comprehensive and fit for purpose, to enable the industry to further accelerate its rapid transition to sources alternative energy sources. We therefore welcome - he concluded Kazakhs - the decision to convene further negotiations in September, to which the ICS intends to contribute ideas on a possible way forward to obtain the necessary support from Member States'.