Shipping lobbies unite in defence of IMO, support of GHG ambitions, citing billions in investment

Ahead of a late-April 2026 session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), a list of shipping’s largest membership bodies, including BIMCO, CLIA, ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERFERRY, INTERTANKO and the World Shipping Council, have penned a joint letter in support of shipping’s global regulators. 

The groups, which together include representation from across the global commercial shipping fleet, say they are highlighting the ’vital importance of IMO Member States agreeing a way forward’ on what has become a contentious process to adopt new regulations around the industry’s bid to decarbonise.

In October 2025, an extraordinary session of MEPC that was set with expectations of the adoption of a landmark set of rules to cut shipping emissions saw negotiations falter amidst pressure from the US and several oil-producing countries (petrostates). The US, under the current Trump administration, issued a series of public threats against IMO in the lead-up to the October 2025 extraordinary session, including port fees, sanctions, investigations, visa restrictions on crews and other ’penalties’ for ’nations in favour’ of International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) net-zero framework (NZF). The result delayed a vote on the adoption of regulatory measures by a year. 

"The IMO consistently demonstrates a unique ability to deliver critical regulations for the safety and security of international shipping and protection of the marine environment," the organisations said in defence of IMO’s role as shipping’s global regulator. 

"The industry remains unified in its commitment to the value and effectiveness of the IMO as the global regulator for international shipping and remains committed to pursuing the ambition established within the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, having invested and committed billions of dollars to trial and implement the use of alternative fuels and innovative technology."

The letter, issued a week before IMO’s MEPC 84 begins, follows a public call for ’realism’ led by the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS). The Melina Travlos-led group called for the development of an alternative to the so-called Net Zero Framework (NZF) regulation on the table for adoption at IMO. 

UGS had previously welcomed the postponement of a final agreement on the framework, saying it provided an opportunity to shape a solution that would guide global shipping through the energy transition safely and realistically.

That view was reiterated in UGS’ latest statement.

“We urge member states to work towards a global, realistic and implementable solution that can ensure a just and equitable transition, while prioritising safety and providing the necessary certainty for long-term investments,” Ms Travlos said.

“Failing this, the risk of a fragmented regulatory landscape, marked by regional measures that distort competition, will become inevitable,” she warned.

“Such an outcome would neither advance the global decarbonisation of shipping nor preserve the central role of IMO as the competent regulator of international shipping,” she added.

Ms Travlos said the experience gained from previous negotiations should be used to explore alternative approaches, drawing on the industry’s expertise and practical knowledge.

Shipping industry groups encourage member states to consider ’all options to achieve a global agreement’

"Industry supports consideration of practical and effective IMO solutions with consistent global application while avoiding diverse and/or overlapping regional and national decarbonisation schemes, which could result in double or multiple penalties being imposed on ships for the same GHG emissions. Member States are therefore encouraged to consider all options to achieve a global agreement," the letter in support of IMO said.

The shipping industry organisations said work already underway on fuel lifecycle assessments and certification schemes must be technically sound and offer a clear and workable foundation for any measure adopted.

"Progress must take due regard for which aspects should be adopted by regulation, and which can be reserved for IMO Guidelines," the letter said. "Decision making must be data-driven and fuel/technology neutral, taking into account availability and safety of alternative fuels, and requirements that are solely focused on maritime decarbonisation."

According to the shipping groups, any measures adopted should offer viable, safety-dependent inclusion of a wide array of fuels and technologies including LNG, LPG, sustainable biofuel blends, e-fuels, biomethanol, biomethane, sustainable bioethanol and ammonia, wind, battery storage, shore power, nuclear, and onboard carbon capture, and "recognise their potential to provide an immediate reduction of emissions".

"The IMO requirements should provide the global regulatory certainty that the maritime industry urgently needs and send sufficient signals to energy producers to accelerate production and supply. Industry also underlines the need for practicable enforcement of the new rules to secure intended reduction of GHG emissions and a level playing field across the industry. The industry stands by the IMO and is committed to providing meaningful and constructive input to assist IMO Member States in developing fit-for-purpose regulations to deliver the strategic vision of the organisation."