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IMO Defers Global Shipping Net‑Zero Vote by One Year After U.S. Pushback

Member states postponed a decision for a year following sustained U.S. pressure.

Overview

  • Delegations in London delayed action on the Net‑Zero Framework until 2026, shelving plans to finalize new rules this week.
  • The proposal would require ships to start cutting emissions in 2028 and reach net‑zero by 2050, using an emissions levy to fund cleaner vessels and support vulnerable countries.
  • President Trump urged members to vote against the plan, and U.S. officials warned of visa restrictions, trade penalties and additional port fees for countries backing it.
  • Washington pressed to replace the IMO’s usual tacit acceptance with an explicit opt‑in by two‑thirds of members, a procedural shift supporters warn could stall implementation for years.
  • Supporters included the EU, China, Brazil and Pacific island states, while Argentina, the Philippines and some Caribbean nations were reported as wavering, and the UN spokesman called the delay a missed opportunity.