IMO delays adoption of shipping carbon tax in 'might is right' show

Governments at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to delay the planned adoption of the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) for one year in a vote at the Extraordinary Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC E.2) in London on October 17.

The postponement of the world’s first global carbon pricing system on any international polluter—global shipping—is seen as a major setback in meeting the maritime industry’s decarbonization targets.

The decision is understood to be a result of delay tactics and procedural sabotage by the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia and other petrostates at last week’s negotiations. The motion to delay was put forward by Singapore and called to a vote by Saudi Arabia.

A clear majority of countries at the MEPC E.2 supported the adoption of the framework, which was agreed in principle in a vote in April 2025. In April, 63 countries voted yes (including the EU27, Brazil, China, India, Canada, UK, Korea, and Japan) versus a minority opposition from 16 oil-producing states.