The United States government led by Donald Trump has clearly stated its intention to prevent the adoption of a global greenhouse gas emission pricing mechanism by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, Trump criticized the IMO's efforts, stating: "Last year, my administration was forced to intervene to prevent the establishment of a global carbon tax, which would increase international shipping costs by 10 to 20 percent."
Details of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Neutralization Framework
At the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) meeting in April 2025, the draft greenhouse gas emission neutralization framework (NZF) was approved with 63 votes in favor and 16 against. This framework introduces two-stage greenhouse gas fuel standards and requires ships to gradually reduce their greenhouse gas fuel intensity starting in 2028.
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Ships that fail to meet the set targets will be required to purchase compensatory units to cover their emission shortfall. The price of the compensatory unit for the first phase for the years 2028 to 2030 has been set at $100 per ton of CO2 equivalent. Additionally, ships that violate both the baseline and direct targets must also cover the second phase shortfall, which can be done by purchasing additional units from other ships or buying extra compensatory units at a price of $380 per ton of CO2 equivalent.
U.S. Opposition and New Proposals
The final approval of the NZF framework was postponed by one year to October 2025 due to strong opposition from the United States and some oil-producing countries. Prior to MEPC 84 in April, Washington called for a comprehensive approach to energy and emphasized that proposals should not restrict the use of traditional crude oil, diesel, nuclear energy, biomass fuels, or other marine propulsion technologies.
The United States also supported the position put forth by Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries warned that a framework that includes economic measures cannot achieve consensus. Despite these oppositions, 59 member countries at MEPC 84 voted in favor of using the approved NZF framework as the basis for reference drafts for subsequent negotiations at the IMO greenhouse gas working group meetings in September and November.
The outcomes of these negotiations will be reviewed at MEPC 85, which will be held from November 30 to December 3. If an agreement on the final text is reached, this framework may be approved at the second extraordinary session (MEPC/ES.2) on December 4.
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