US TO RETALIATE AGAINST IMO MEMBERS THAT BACK NET ZERO EMISSIONS PLAN
On 12 August, the U.S. Department of State issued a Joint Statement on Protecting American Consumers and Shipping Industries, formally rejecting the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Net-Zero Framework. The framework, agreed in April 2025, sets out the pathway to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping by 2050. It introduces a progressive carbon pricing mechanism, mandates the use of green fuels, and establishes a global fund to support the transition in developing countries.
In their statement, senior U.S. officials described the IMO agreement as “harmful to Americans” and warned of possible retaliation against IMO member states that support the framework. This U.S. stance introduces new uncertainty ahead of the framework’s formal adoption, scheduled for October. The European Union has already advanced decarbonisation policies for the maritime sector, including the inclusion of shipping in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the adoption of FuelEU Maritime.
Despite U.S. opposition, CLECAT is confident that the Net-Zero Framework will secure the necessary majority support within the IMO when it comes to formal adoption in October. Years of negotiations and the broad coalition behind the agreement suggest that member states recognise the urgent need for a global approach.
CLECAT stresses that an IMO-led framework is essential to prevent carbon leakage in maritime transport. A fragmented regulatory landscape, where some regions apply stringent rules while others do not, could incentivise carriers to reroute ships to weaker jurisdictions, undermining decarbonisation and distorting competition. A unified global agreement is therefore critical to protect European competitiveness and ensure the integrity of global supply chains.
Source: U.S. Department of State