ISWG-GHG 22: BIMCO Casts Doubt on NZF Deal by December

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Friday September 11, 2026

There may not be enough time for a new or revised Net-Zero Framework (NZF) to emerge at the IMO’s MEPC 85 meeting in December, according to BIMCO.

Last week’s meeting of the IMO’s intersessional working group on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from shipping “did little to forge consensus” on key areas of divergence, BIMCO said in a statement on its website on Thursday.

Member states remain divided over the greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI) trajectory, including whether the framework should have two tiers, as under the NZF, or a single tier similar to FuelEU Maritime.

There is also disagreement over whether the framework should generate funds and, if so, how those funds should be used.

“There were sporadic signs of willingness to compromise,” BIMCO said, but added that such compromise was “still short of detail and more work is needed”.

The working group will meet again in the week before the MEPC 85 meeting in December.

BIMCO expects new submissions to be made and member states to pursue bilateral agreements on core issues in the meantime.

“It is therefore questionable if there is enough time to allow for a new or revised framework to emerge during MEPC 85 in the first week of December,” BIMCO said.

However, the industry body noted that MEPC 85 would not mark the end of the negotiations.

“Negotiations will continue into 2027 and with time, consensus may prevail,” BIMCO said.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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