Seven Shipping Associations Back Net‑Zero Framework Ahead of IMO Climate Vote

Seven major international shipowners and national shipping associations urged IMO member states to adopt the Net‑Zero Framework (NZF) ahead of the Marine Environment Protection Committee’s extraordinary session.

The signatories were Japanese Shipowners’ Association, Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association, Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners, Singapore Shipping Association, UK Chamber of Shipping, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association and Danish Shipping.

Together, the signatories said the NZF would create binding global regulation needed to achieve climate‑neutral shipping by or close to 2050 and provide a level playing field for the industry.

The associations highlighted that the framework combined concrete emission reduction mandates with a global pricing mechanism that penalises under-compliance and rewards uptake of low and zero GHG fuels under a single global fuel standard. This strengthens the business case for investment in sustainable fuels and technology.

“The industry supports the Net-Zero Framework. Binding global regulation is essential for achieving the goal of climate neutral shipping in 2050. We need global regulation and a level playing field,” said CEO of Danish Shipping, Anne H. Steffensen. 

“The alternative to the Net-Zero Framework is not zero regulation, as some of the opponents of the agreement may wish for, but rather a complicated patchwork of regional and national regulations, which is entirely the wrong answer for a global industry”.

The joint statement called on the EU to align with the IMO outcome to avoid double charging for emissions and reduce the regulatory burden on shipowners. It urged governments to seize the opportunity to put in place a strictly enforced global framework that derisks fuel investments and supports a just transition for seafarers and coastal communities.

Industry bodies beyond the seven, such as the International Chamber of Shipping and European shipowner groups, have also signalled support, indicating considerable sector backing ahead of the vote that aims to formally adopt technical amendments drafted and approved earlier in 2025.

Analyses from the Global Maritime Forum estimate the NZF’s pricing and reward mechanisms could mobilise roughly $11–12 billion per year by 2030 through penalties on noncompliance. These funds are intended to incentivise efuel adoption and support an equitable transition for lower income flag states and ports.

“Adoption of the Net-Zero Framework will strengthen the business case for cutting emissions and investing in sustainable energy, fuels, and technology,” said Steffensen. “It will also send the strongest possible signal to investors and producers to scale up the production of the alternative fuels that the shipping industry will require to move towards zero emissions”.

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