This week in London UN Member States will debate proposed mid-term measures for reducing GHG emissions in line with strengthened reduction ambitions. Measures under evaluation, scheduled for adoption by the next MEPC 83 meeting (April 2025), include a technical goal based marine fuel standard to meet absolute emissions reductions targets aligning with 2030 & 2040 interim checkpoints and an economic global GHG pricing mechanism, likely like a “levy” style system. Their entry into force is still unclear, with the intention by (MEPC 85) in 2027, effective from 2028.
This week’s meeting started with a debate on the “Comprehensive Impact Assessment”, with certain Member States (Bangladesh, Egypt, and Togo) seeking more clarity of the impact of proposed measures on food security, claiming more time is required before making any decisions.
The meeting will further analyse submissions from Member States and shipping industry, reflecting on the challenges with the CII framework implemented in 2023, particularly its sensitivity to idle time, where ships accrue emissions without performing transport work, thus unfairly impacting their CII ratings. Additionally, emissions from docking operations and the unique operational dynamics in regions like the Caribbean, with frequent short voyages and high idle times, skew CII ratings. Proposals for revising the CII framework include the EQ-CII metric, which accounts for both transport and non-transport activities by integrating emissions from all operational phases, particularly important for specialised ships and those engaged in shortsea shipping. A fleet-balancing mechanism is also suggested, allowing operators to manage emissions across their fleet rather than on a ship-by-ship basis, which could mitigate the effects of high idle times or short voyages experienced especially by roro vessels on fixed routes.
As IMO moves toward its 2026 comprehensive review of the CII framework, aligning these global measures with regional GHG regulations, like the EU-ETS Directive and the upcoming “FuelEU Maritime” regulation, will be MEPC’s biggest promise to market participants, to avoid fragmentation and potential double charging for emissions in the post-session regulatory landscape.