Mariners Digest
IMO Net-Zero Framework: where it stands, what it requires, and when
The Net-Zero Framework would set a GHG fuel intensity standard and a price on emissions for ships of 5,000 GT and above. It is not adopted yet: the vote was adjourned in October 2025, and IMO plans to resume the session on Friday 4 December 2026, right after MEPC 85 (30 November to 3 December). The figures below are from the draft text and can still change.
Status, meeting by meeting
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| MEPC 83, 7–11 Apr 2025 | Draft legal text approved, as a new Chapter 5 of MARPOL Annex VI (IMO) |
| MEPC/ES.2, Oct 2025 | Session to adopt it adjourned for one year (IMO); DNV reports the vote as 57 to 49 |
| MEPC 84, 27 Apr–1 May 2026 | Intersessional working group set up; Member States may submit new amendments and adjustments to the approved draft (IMO) |
| 1–4 Sep 2026 | First intersessional meeting (IMO) |
| 23–27 Nov 2026 | Second intersessional meeting (IMO) |
| 30 Nov–3 Dec 2026 | MEPC 85 — has not met yet (13 Nov 2026) |
| Fri 4 Dec 2026 | ES.2 resumes, subject to confirmation by MEPC 85 (IMO) |
Sources: IMO, MEPC 84 meeting summary and “Cutting GHG emissions from ships”; vote count from DNV, “Decision on the IMO Net-Zero Framework delayed for one year” (17 Oct 2025, secondary source). All read on 13 November 2026. What MEPC 85 decides will be added here after IMO publishes it.
The fuel standard (GFI)
Each ship’s attained GHG fuel intensity (GFI, gCO2eq per MJ, well-to-wake) is compared with two targets, both cut from the 2008 reference of 93.3 gCO2eq/MJ.
| Year | Base target | Direct compliance target |
|---|---|---|
| 2028 | −4.0% | −17.0% |
| 2029 | −6.0% | −19.0% |
| 2030 | −8.0% | −21.0% |
| 2031 | −12.4% | −25.4% |
| 2032 | −16.8% | −29.8% |
| 2033 | −21.2% | −34.2% |
| 2034 | −25.6% | −38.6% |
| 2035 | −30.0% | −43.0% |
| 2040 | −65% | to be set by 1 Jan 2032 |
Source: IMO Circular Letter No.5005, draft regulation 35 and Table 4 (the text circulated for adoption); read on 13 November 2026. Factors for 2036–2040 are to be set by 1 January 2032.
The pricing mechanism
- Tier 1 deficit (attained GFI above the direct compliance target, up to the base target): covered by Tier 1 remedial units, bought through contributions to the IMO Net-Zero Fund at US$100 per tonne CO2eq for 2028–2030.
- Tier 2 deficit (above the base target): covered by surplus units from other ships, banked surplus units, or Tier 2 remedial units at US$380 per tonne CO2eq for 2028–2030.
- From 2031: IMO is to set the mechanism for reviewing and defining both prices by 1 January 2028.
- Surplus units: a ship below the direct compliance target earns them; they can be transferred, banked or cancelled, and are valid for two calendar years after the year they are issued.
- Rewards: the IMO Net-Zero Fund rewards zero or near-zero (ZNZ) fuels and technologies, defined as no more than 19.0 gCO2eq/MJ until 31 December 2034 and 14.0 gCO2eq/MJ from 2035. The Fund also pays for research, infrastructure, training and support for developing States (IMO).
- Reporting: the first reporting period in the draft is calendar year 2028, with each year’s report due by 31 March.
Sources: IMO Circular Letter No.5005, draft regulations 33–39, and IMO press briefing “IMO approves net-zero regulations for global shipping” (April 2025); read on 13 November 2026.
Timeline and the bigger targets
- Entry into force: 16 months after adoption, under tacit acceptance (IMO). The 2028 dates in the draft were written for adoption in October 2025; DNV wrote then that the earliest entry into force would be 1 March 2028 (secondary source). If the dates move, IMO will say so at adoption.
- IMO 2023 GHG Strategy: net-zero GHG from international shipping by or around 2050; at least 20%, striving for 30%, lower by 2030 and at least 70%, striving for 80%, by 2040, both against 2008; zero or near-zero fuels at least 5%, striving for 10%, of the energy used by 2030 (IMO).
- Next reviews: MEPC 86 (summer 2027) starts the review of the 2023 Strategy, to be finished at MEPC 88 (autumn 2028) (IMO).
- Already in force: the CII rating keeps running alongside — see CII rating in 2026. EU ports also apply FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS.
Sources: IMO, press briefing and “Cutting GHG emissions from ships”; DNV, 17 Oct 2025 (secondary).
Questions
Has the IMO Net-Zero Framework been adopted?
Not yet. MEPC 83 approved the draft in April 2025. The extraordinary session called to adopt it in October 2025 (MEPC/ES.2) adjourned for one year. MEPC 84 (27 April to 1 May 2026) set up an intersessional working group, and IMO says ES.2 will resume on Friday 4 December 2026, subject to confirmation by MEPC 85.
What did MEPC 85 decide on the Net-Zero Framework?
MEPC 85 has not met yet: it is scheduled for 30 November to 3 December 2026, with the resumed ES.2 on 4 December. This page will be updated once IMO publishes the outcome.
Which ships would the Net-Zero Framework cover?
Ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above; the draft leaves out ships that sail only within their own flag State's waters. IMO says ships of this size emit 85% of the CO2 from international shipping.
What is the GHG fuel intensity (GFI) target?
In the draft text each ship has two targets measured against 93.3 gCO2eq/MJ, the 2008 average, well-to-wake: a base target 4% lower in 2028 rising to 30% lower in 2035, and a stricter direct compliance target 17% lower in 2028 rising to 43% lower in 2035. The 2040 base target is set at 65%.
How much would a ship pay?
Under the draft, for 2028 to 2030 a deficit between the direct compliance and base targets is covered by Tier 1 remedial units at US$100 per tonne of CO2eq, and a deficit beyond the base target by surplus units or Tier 2 remedial units at US$380 per tonne. Prices from 2031 are to be set later.
When would it start?
IMO says the rules enter into force 16 months after adoption. The draft text has the first reporting period as calendar year 2028; those dates were written for adoption in 2025 and may change. DNV (secondary source) wrote in October 2025 that the earliest entry into force was then 1 March 2028.
Mariners Digest is made by CryoSim. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by IMO or DNV. This page summarises their published texts in CryoSim’s own words and is not legal advice; the Net-Zero Framework is a draft until IMO adopts it, and IMO’s own documents always take precedence. Published 2026-11-13, updated 2026-11-13. See also IMO MEPC 85: what to watch, CII rating in 2026 and Mariners Digest.
