---
title: "MEPC 83: Groundbreaking GHG Emission Targets for Maritime Industry"
description: IMO's MEPC 83 session sets historic GHG emission targets for the shipping industry, marking significant progress amid challenges and uncertainties.
image: https://hub.rivertrace.com/hubfs/MEPC-Blog-Span-Banner.png
---

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 29-Jul-2025 17:31:55

# MEPC 83: Groundbreaking GHG Emission Targets for Maritime Industry

[Paul Hopkins](https://hub.rivertrace.com/blog/author/paul-hopkins)

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The recent 83rd session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) marks a watershed moment for the shipping industry, establishing the first internationally mandated targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for any global industry.

## **Historic GHG Emission Framework**

In a rare move demonstrating the significance of the issue, the IMO called for a vote on the proposed measures, with 63 of 79 delegations voting in favour. This decision introduces a Global Fuel Standard with greenhouse gas emissions intensity reduction targets through 2035, along with penalties for non-compliance.

The framework includes:

- Initial baseline reduction target of 4% starting in 2028, increasing to 30% by 2035.
- Higher ‘direct compliance target’ beginning at 17%, reaching 43% by 2035.
- Economic measures setting a price of $380 per tonne of CO2 equivalent for excess emissions.
- A credit system allowing fleet-wide efficiency balancing.
- Creation of an IMO Net-Zero Fund projected to generate $11-13 billion annually.

If formally adopted at an extraordinary MEPC session in October, these amendments to MARPOL Annex VI would enter into force in 2027.

## **Challenges and Uncertainty**

While this represents substantial progress, several challenges remain:

- The measures apply only to ships over 5,000GT trading internationally.
- The United States, though absent from the meeting, has expressed opposition and threatened reciprocal measures.
- Only 79 of 176 IMO member states were present for the vote.
- Uncertainty exists about whether the intensity targets will achieve the IMO’s 2030 and 2040 emission reduction checkpoints.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez acknowledged the compromise nature of the agreement, noting he “would have preferred the text to be agreed by consensus rather than through a majority vote”.

## **Additional Key Developments**

The packed agenda at MEPC 83 addressed several other critical environmental aspects of shipping:

### **Carbon Capture and NOx Regulations**

- Finalised work plan for developing a regulatory framework for onboard carbon capture and storage by 2028.
- Adopted amendments to the NOx Technical Code 2008 concerning multiple engine operational profiles, entering into force 1 March 2027.

### **Ballast Water Management**

- Two systems using active substances gained final approval and a third received basic approval.
- Progress on the BWM Convention review with amendments to facilitate management under challenging water quality conditions.
- Plans for a comprehensive revision of the BWM Convention and BWMS Code to be adopted by MEPC 85 in 2026.

### **Biofouling and Emission Control Areas**

- Approved guidance on in-water cleaning of ships’ biofouling to minimise invasive species transfer.
- Endorsed a new Emission Control Area covering the North-East Atlantic around Greenland and Iceland, with requirements expected to take effect on 1 March 2027 for SOx and apply to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2027 for Nox.

> Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the MEPC session in October that will determine the final adoption of these historic measures.

 

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