The European Union is pressing for stricter greenhouse gas emission limits on international shipping during high-level negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London this week. Brussels has instructed all twenty-seven member states to oppose any attempts to weaken the IMO's proposed net-zero framework, according to a letter seen by Euronews.
The talks come after a contentious meeting in October 2025, when a proposal to introduce a global carbon tax on shipping emissions was blocked by the United States, with support from Saudi Arabia and Russia. That vote fell short of the required simple majority, with 49 votes in favour and 57 against or abstaining. The US, under President Donald Trump, has since pressured several countries to delay progress, raising concerns about trade tariffs.
Brussels' Directive: Unity on Climate Goals
The EU's directive, outlined in a letter to member states, states: "Member states, on behalf of the Union, shall oppose any attempts to remove the IMO Net-Zero Framework." The bloc aims to align the shipping sector with its broader target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. However, the letter also emphasises the need to ensure that new measures do not disadvantage European shipping, calling for a global level playing field.
This dual focus reflects an underlying tension: while the EU wants to lead on decarbonisation, it risks placing its own maritime industry at a competitive disadvantage if other nations do not match its ambition. The bloc's own rules already require ships above 5,000 gross tonnage to cut emissions by 2% in 2025, rising to 6% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
Greece, Italy, and Malta remain cautious about the proposed framework, according to two EU diplomats. These countries, with significant shipping interests, are wary of costs that could hurt their fleets. The revised compromise text under discussion in London has secured broad backing among other EU states, but the three holdouts could complicate a unified European position.
IMO Calls for Constructive Talks
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez urged delegates to engage in pragmatic discussions, saying: "There is no need to repeat what happened last October. Let us move forward where we agree and continue to work on areas where further effort and understanding are needed." He added: "At a time when there is already enough disagreement around the world, I ask that we set an example of effective multilateralism."
Environmental groups are watching closely. Anaïs Rios, senior policy officer for shipping and climate at the NGO Seas at Risk, criticised the US administration's pushback against "any progress towards clean energy." She warned that "progress is at risk of stalling amid continued opposition and delays" to the framework, which was approved last year but has yet to be adopted.
The proposed IMO levy would range from $100 to $380 per metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted above certain limits, depending on factors like ship type and route. Environmental organisations estimate it could generate between $30 billion and $40 billion by 2030, while delivering at least a 10% reduction in emissions from the sector. The funds would be paid into a UN "Net Zero Fund," managed by the IMO, to support green shipping innovation and reward low-emission vessels.
International shipping accounts for roughly 2–3% of global emissions, making it a significant but challenging sector to decarbonise. The EU's push for a global solution through the IMO is part of a broader strategy to avoid fragmented regional rules that could distort trade. However, the bloc's insistence on net-zero by 2050 may clash with the slower pace favoured by some major shipping nations.
The outcome of these talks will have implications for European ports, from Rotterdam to Piraeus, and for the continent's broader climate ambitions. As the EU navigates internal divisions and external pressure, the London negotiations represent a critical test of its ability to lead on global environmental policy.
