The United States has formally urged the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to discard its proposed Net-Zero Framework (NZF) in its entirety, arguing the measure poses a serious risk to the global shipping industry and the wider economy, according to Ship & Bunker.
In a proposal filed with the IMO on March 16, the US described the current NZF as one that would advance what it called “expensive, unproven, and unavailable fuels,” while also threatening the operational reliability of existing fleets and the stability of international trade, Ship & Bunker reports.
The submission arrives ahead of MEPC 84 — the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee — set to convene from April 27 to May 1.
The US position leaves little room for compromise. As cited by Ship & Bunker, the proposal states: “The most appropriate path forward is to end consideration of the IMO Net-Zero Framework entirely and not resume MEPC/ES.2, currently adjourned until November 2026.”
No Carbon Tax, No Fuel Restrictions
Washington also made clear its opposition to any form of carbon-related financial mechanisms, asserting that “there must be no financial penalty, carbon tax, levy, or multilateral fund” imposed on the shipping sector.
In place of the NZF, the US advocated for what it described as an “energy-all” approach — one that keeps all fuel options open, including conventional crude, diesel, LNG, nuclear, and biomass-based fuels. Regulations, the US argued, should “avoid rigid mandates and economic burdens” to protect the dependability of global trade.
According to Ship & Bunker, this latest move builds on an earlier US intervention in 2025, when the Trump administration sought to delay adoption of the framework and warned of potential retaliatory action against countries that supported the proposal.
Growing Opposition Among Member States
The US is not alone in its reservations. Ship & Bunker also reports that a separate coalition — comprising Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Russia, Somalia, and the UAE — submitted its own proposal earlier this month, calling for any framework to be “consensus-based and rooted in true multilateral deliberations” and free of “punitive measures.”
The group stated that the version of the NZF presented in October 2025 fails to reflect the core concerns of a significant number of member states, and therefore lacks the broad-based support necessary for effective implementation. They further emphasised that “timelines and trajectories must be realistic and pragmatic, taking into account the affordability, scalability and global availability of fuels and technologies.”
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Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
