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Member States are entering a critical phase of negotiations at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), as the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MPEC 84) opened on 27 April in London. These discussions are set to shape the future of the global framework for maritime decarbonisation, the adoption of which was postponed in October 2025.

According to the Council’s position, EU Member States will firmly resist any attempts to sideline or delay the ongoing negotiations. At the same time, they have indicated a degree of flexibility, expressing a willingness to consider amendments that could help secure the broadest possible international support – provided that the agreed measures remain aligned with the emission reduction objectives adopted in 2023.

The EU is also advocating for the use of a tacit acceptance procedure for the adoption of the measures. This approach would allow the framework to be adopted without a formal vote, thereby reducing the risk of exposing divisions amongst IMO members. However, this position is not uniformly shared, as Greece, Malta, and Italy have withheld their support for the Council’s approach.

The negotiations are further complicated by diverging positions amongst key international partners. The US has put forward a proposal calling for a technology-neutral approach, explicitly opposing any regulatory framework that would restrict specific fuel types, including conventional fossil fuels, LNG, nuclear energy, or biofuels.  The US is advocating for a formal voting procedure, requiring countries to explicitly endorse the measures, contrary to the EU’s preference for tacit acceptance.

From a CLECAT perspective, the establishment of a global framework remains essential to ensure a level playing field in maritime transport and to avoid fragmentation resulting from overlapping regional regimes.