Over 85 major players call on the International Maritime Organization to finalise its Net-Zero Framework in 2026, emphasising that further delays threaten crucial investments in green technologies and infrastructure for shipping’s transition to sustainability.
More than 85 major shipping-related companies have urged International Maritime Organization member states to finalise and adopt the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework in 2026, warning that further delay would undermine investment in alternative fuels, vessels and port infrastructure needed to decarbonise the sector. According to industry signatories, the framework, originally expected to be adopted in October 2025, was deferred to allow further consensus-building, with talks now scheduled to resume in 2026.
The open letter from shipowners, ports, fuel producers and technology providers framed the framework as a balanced compromise that can deliver a clear pathway to achieve net-zero shipping by or around 2050 and stressed that the international nature of IMO regulation creates a single rulebook that gives investors certainty. The signatories said that low-carbon fuels, new vessels and bunkering infrastructure are already being developed and that postponing adoption risks reversing progress.
The signatories reiterated language from the joint statement emphasising predictability for long-lived assets and warning that ‘confusion and uncertainty resulting from delay in the adoption of the framework risks undermining international investment and growth in the solutions needed to enable shipping’s energy transition’. They added that the approved framework provides a stronger signal for industry to scale up production and deployment of technologies.
The background to the appeal is the IMO’s own timeline: the organisation approved the Net-Zero Framework in April 2025 but the Marine Environment Protection Committee adjourned its formal adoption in October 2025 to allow member states more time to reach consensus and to develop implementation guidance. That intersessional work will continue into 2026, as the committee refines rules including a new fuel standard and a global carbon pricing mechanism intended to cover the bulk of emissions from large ocean-going ships.
Responses from civil society and industry groups have been mixed but generally supportive of a timely adoption. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development issued a statement backing the framework as essential to create a harmonised regulatory environment that enables business investment, while environmental advocates warned that the postponement delays urgently needed action and could push back implementation milestones originally linked to 2028.
Industry associations likewise pressed for a global approach to avoid fragmented national measures that would raise costs and complexity for international trade, underlining that a unified IMO framework is intended to preserve a level playing field while incentivising the transition to net-zero fuels and ships. With intersessional work under way in 2026 to prepare implementation guidelines, the signatories urged member states to conclude consensus quickly to sustain investor confidence and the momentum behind fleet and infrastructure investments.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.biobased-diesel.com/post/dozens-of-companies-call-on-imo-to-adopt-net-zero-framework-in-2026 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/imo-net-zero-shipping-talks-to-resume-in-2026.aspx – In October 2025, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adjourned discussions on adopting the Net-Zero Framework for one year. The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) decided to reconvene in 2026 to continue working towards consensus on the framework, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships will proceed with developing implementation guidelines during this period.
- https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/imo-approves-net-zero-regulations.aspx – In April 2025, the IMO approved the Net-Zero Framework, marking a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships globally. The framework includes a new fuel standard for ships and a global pricing mechanism for emissions, aiming for net-zero emissions by or around 2050. These measures are set to be formally adopted in October 2025 and will become mandatory for large ocean-going ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which emit 85% of the total CO₂ emissions from international shipping.
- https://www.wbcsd.org/news/wbcsd-statement-of-support-for-the-imo-net-zero-framework/ – The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) released a statement in September 2025 expressing support for the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework. The WBCSD commended IMO Member States for their leadership and highlighted the framework as a vital milestone in the global effort to decarbonize shipping and supply chains. The statement emphasized the importance of a clear, predictable, and harmonized regulatory approach to enable businesses to invest, innovate, and accelerate their transition to net-zero emissions.
- https://www.worldshipping.org/news/global-shipping-industry-reaffirms-support-for-the-imo-net-zero-framework – In October 2025, leading international maritime associations and organizations reiterated their strong support for the adoption of the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework. They emphasized the importance of a global regulatory approach to decarbonize the shipping industry and prevent a fragmented patchwork of national or regional rules. The industry highlighted the framework’s potential to incentivize the transition to net-zero emissions while ensuring a level playing field for companies engaged in international trade and logistics.
- https://www.edf.org/media/imo-postpones-adoption-net-zero-framework-delaying-global-action-to-decarbonize-shipping – In October 2025, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) postponed the adoption of the Net-Zero Framework for one year, delaying global action to decarbonize shipping. The framework aims to phase out fossil fuels from the maritime sector by 2050 and includes the world’s first legally binding global carbon price for any sector. The postponement delays critical progress and implementation initially planned for 2028, affecting the development of detailed guidelines for the framework’s implementation.
- https://www.hilldickinson.com/insights/articles/imos-net-zero-framework-adoption-adjourned-and-consensus-building-continues – In October 2025, the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adjourned discussions on the Net-Zero Framework until 2026. The committee was unable to reach consensus on the framework, leading to the postponement of the adoption of regulations for the global pricing of ship greenhouse gas emissions. The article discusses the implications of this delay and the ongoing efforts to build consensus among IMO member states for the adoption of the Net-Zero Framework.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article was published on 5 March 2026, reporting on a joint statement from over 85 companies urging the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt the Net-Zero Framework in 2026. Similar calls have been made previously, such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s statement on 22 September 2025. However, the specific details and signatories in the current article appear to be new, suggesting originality.
Quotes check
Score: 7
Notes: The article includes direct quotes from the joint statement, such as: “We support the member states of the IMO in their efforts to achieve net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.” A search for this exact quote reveals no earlier usage, indicating originality. However, without access to the full joint statement, it’s challenging to verify the accuracy of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score: 6
Notes: The primary source, Biobased Diesel Daily, is a niche publication focusing on biofuels and renewable energy. While it provides detailed coverage, its limited reach and potential biases may affect the reliability of the information. The article cites reputable sources like the IMO and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which adds credibility.
Plausibility check
Score: 8
Notes: The call for the IMO to adopt the Net-Zero Framework aligns with ongoing industry discussions and previous statements from organizations like the World Shipping Council. The concerns about delays undermining investment in decarbonization are consistent with industry sentiments.