Marine Environment Protection Committee “back on track” towards consensus on global shipping emissions.
The Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded its 84th session with a commitment to rebuild consensus on global shipping emissions, while sounding the alarm over environmental risks in the Strait of Hormuz and adopting new measures to curb air pollution in the Northeast Atlantic.
Closing the meeting, held from 27 April to 1 May 2026 in London, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said:
“We are back on track, but we have to rebuild trust. I encourage you to maintain this momentum through your intersessional work and to prepare submissions that can bring the membership together.”
The Committee will resume its Second Extraordinary Session on Friday 4 December 2026, subject to confirmation by the 85th session (MEPC 85) scheduled to convene 30 November to 3 December.
IMO Net Zero Framework
Nearly 100 delegations took the floor this week to voice their views on the adoption of “mid-term measures” to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships – known as the IMO Net-Zero Framework – with multiple proposals tabled on how to take forward negotiations.
The Committee agreed to establish an intersessional Working Group to resolve various concerns and drive broader convergence on a global measure ahead of MEPC 85 in six months. Member States will be able to submit new amendments and adjustments to the draft amendments previously approved.
Two inter-sessional meetings will be scheduled (1 to 4 September and 23 to 27 November) ahead of MEPC 85 (30 November to 3 December), as well as a one-day expert workshop on “chain of custody” models, which track fuel origin and movement of fuels across the supply chain, ensuring emissions are properly traced and verified.
The second extraordinary session of MEPC (adjourned last October) is scheduled to resume on 4 December, subject to discussions at MEPC 85.
Strait of Hormuz and the marine environment
The Committee adopted a resolution condemning the attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz region and the related risks of marine pollution.
The Committee recognised the vulnerability of the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters, warning that these attacks could cause large-scale marine pollution such as oil, hazardous and noxious substances and hazardous residues arising from missiles, drones, fires and explosions.
The Committee requested Secretary-General to monitor environmental impacts and report to the next IMO Council session.
New Emissions Control Area for the North-East Atlantic
The Committee adopted a new Emission Control Area (ECA) in the North-East Atlantic, introducing stricter emission limits on nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM). The entry into force date is set for 1 September 2027, with the ECA taking effect 12 months later in 2028.
The ECA covers the exclusive economic zones and territorial seas, extending up to 200 nautical miles from their baselines of Greenland, Iceland, the Faroes, Ireland, the mainlands of the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal.
Within ECAs, ships must use fuel with a sulphur content of no more than 0.10%. Cutting SOx and NOx emissions reduces risks of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, strokes and childhood asthma. It also improves visibility at sea and reduces acidification, helping protect crops and forests.
2026 Strategy and Action Plan on marine plastic litter
The Committee adopted the 2026 Strategy and the Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, reaffirming IMO’s goal of zero plastic waste discharges to sea from ships by 2030.
The Strategy and Action Plan work to improve port reception facilities and waste processing, strengthening regulatory compliance, and expands public awareness and seafarer training, and international cooperation, including targeted technical assistance and capacity-building. It updates and supersedes the 2021 Strategy and 2025 Action Plan for addressing marine litter.
Developing a Code for transporting plastic pellets
The Committee agreed to develop a mandatory code governing the maritime transport of plastic pellets in freight containers, under MARPOL Annex III and/or the SOLAS Convention. The Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 14) was tasked with drafting the code and reporting back to MEPC.
Actions on fishing gear marking
The Committee approved a circular promoting the implementation of fishing gear marking systems, in line with the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear (VGMFG).
Combatting harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water
The Committee approved a package of amendments to the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, following a review of the treaty and its associated instruments under an experience-building phase (EBP).
The reviewed was conducted to refine implementation, close regulatory gaps and ensure the Contention remains an effective and practical tool for protecting marine ecosystems. The amendments cover various mandatory provisions of the Convention (regulations and appendices in the Annex to the Convention).
The Committee adopted revised Guidelines for ballast water management and development of Ballast Water Management Plans (G4).
Reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping
The Committee advanced its work on underwater radiated noise (URN), agreeing in principle to extend the experience-building phase (EBP) by two years, to the end of 2028. The EBP aims to address barriers Member States face in applying IMO’s URN Guidelines (Revised guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life – MEPC.1/Circ.906/Rev.1)
The Committee agreed in principle to commission an IMO study on URN emissions, as an evidence base for possible future measures. Member States were also invited to submit proposals for a URN policy roadmap to MEPC 85.
New outputs
The Committee agreed on three new outputs to work on over the next two years:
- Amendments to regulation 12 of MARPOL Annex VI to prohibit the reintroduction of ozone-depleting substances on ships; and
- Measures to address maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) in the instruments under the purview of the Marine Environment Protection Committee.
A new output on “Supporting the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement within IMO’s regulatory framework for protecting the seas and oceans and marine biodiversity” was agreed in principle, subject to further consideration by MEPC 85.
Other key decisions
The Committee also took action on the following:
- Approved the Terms of Reference for the Fifth IMO GHG Study and requested the IMO Secretariat to initiate the procurement process for the study;
- Adopted 2026 Guidelines for test bed and onboard measurements of CH4 and/or N2O emissions from marine diesel engines;
- Approved draft amendments to the 2008 NOx Technical Code in relation to non-carbon containing fuels, with a view to subsequent adoption.
- Agreed that a standalone legally binding instrument should be developed for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species.
A full meeting summary will be available in due course.
