In a major setback for maritime decarbonisation, the United States and Saudi Arabia have blocked ratification of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Net-Zero Framework (NZF). The move highlights deep divisions over stricter environmental controls on global shipping and has unsettled regulators, particularly in Europe. 

According to Asia Shipping Media, the European Commission expressed frustration after Greece and Cyprus abstained from voting on whether to defer the NZF. During the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee session in London on October 18, delegates postponed discussions for 12 months after failing to reach consensus on amendments to MarPol Annex VI, which underpins the framework.

The delay pushes potential adoption of the NZF to late 2026 at the earliest, adding uncertainty and risk to the shipping industry. The framework, approved in principle in April, outlines a global fuel standard and emissions pricing mechanism aimed at achieving the IMO’s 2023 greenhouse gas reduction targets.