International Maritime Emissions Agreement Delayed by One Year Due to US Opposition

On October 17, 2025, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) postponed the adoption of a global plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships by one year. This delay resulted from intense pressure and opposition primarily from the United States and some oil-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia. The shipping sector, responsible for approximately 3% of global CO2 emissions, was set to implement this initiative to progressively reduce emissions starting in 2028, with the ambitious goal of total decarbonization by 2050.

The plan, which had received majority approval in principle in April 2025, included a carbon pricing mechanism aimed at incentivizing low-emission ships and supporting vulnerable countries economically. However, the US threatened sanctions such as visa restrictions and extra port charges against countries backing the plan. In the final vote, 57 states favored postponing the agreement, while 49—including France and numerous EU members—opposed the delay.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed disappointment over the postponement, while the European Commission termed it "regrettable" and affirmed its readiness to resume discussions when conditions permit. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the delay as a "huge victory" for former President Donald Trump, who had branded the plan a "global green scam" and opposed any measures likely to increase consumer costs.

The postponement underscores the challenges in reconciling environmental ambitions with geopolitical and economic interests within international maritime policy.