MEPC 83: New Regulations to Reduce GHG and More
The MEPC 83 session introduced new GHG reduction regulations for the global shipping industry, driving urgent demand for clean fuels, decarbonization technologies, and sustainable maritime operations.
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) held its 83rd session from April 7 to 11, 2025, during which time it approved new regulations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. These regulations include a new fuel standard for vessels and a global pricing mechanism for emissions, which are expected to be formally adopted in October 2025 and enter into force in 2027.
The new regulations set emission reduction targets for ships, with penalties for non-compliance. Ships must comply with a Global Fuel Standard, reducing their annual greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI). This is calculated using a well-to-wake approach.
The regulations also introduce a global economic measure: Ships emitting above GFI thresholds will have to acquire remedial units to balance their deficit emissions, while those using zero or near-zero GHG technologies will be eligible for financial rewards.
MEPC 83 also adopted the 2025 Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, including a new action on reducing the environmental risks of transporting plastic pellets at sea.
The committee discussed various issues concerning protecting the marine environment from shipping activities. They approved the North-East Atlantic as an Emissions Control Area (ECA) for SOx, PM, and NOx, with a view to adoption at the extraordinary MEPC session in October 2025. The ECA covers the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and territorial seas of Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Portugal. Entry into force is expected to be in 2027, with the 0.10% sulphur limit taking effect 12 months later.
MEPC 83 finalized guidelines for test-bed and onboard measurements of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from marine diesel engines. These guidelines can serve as a basis to apply emissions and slip factors other than those listed in the 2024 Guidelines on Life Cycle GHG Intensity of Marine Fuels. They are also expected to become accepted under the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime regulations.
The committee established a Correspondence Group to develop further the framework for measuring and verifying non-CO2 GHG emissions, reporting to MEPC 84 in spring 2026. A work plan on creating a regulatory framework for using Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) was agreed upon. The work plan will address both ship and land considerations about OCCS, taking into account their incorporation into existing and future regulatory frameworks such as the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). The work is set to be finalized in 2028.
The committee also reviewed the existing short-term measures, decided on mid-term measures, and prepared strategies to manage the passage to net-zero by 2050. The 2023 IMO GHG Strategy outlines a set of “mid-term measures” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping in line with the reduction targets set out in the Strategy. These measures should consist of improvements in ship energy efficiency and reductions in carbon intensity by at least 40% compared to 2008 levels by 2030.
The committee approved mid-term measures to reduce the shipping sector’s GHG emissions with amendments to MARPOL Annex VI (chapter 5, “Regulations on the IMO Net-Zero Framework”). According to the legal procedures (parties with the right to vote), the approval was confirmed with a majority of 63 of 79 votes (16 negative votes).
The committee will continue its review of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention at MEPC 83. This will include stocktaking the progress made and considering the way forward regarding the overall plan for completion of the review, with some high-level decisions needed to facilitate the achievement of the review targets.
The committee is expected to finalize draft legal text for these measures, referred to as the “IMO Net-Zero Framework.” This will consist of amendments to Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, expected to be approved by MEPC 83 for circulation immediately after the meeting, with a view to adoption by an extraordinary session of MEPC in October 2025. Following adoption, depending on the committee’s decision, the measures could enter into force 16 months later, under the “tacit acceptance” procedure.
The committee will consider proposals for new outputs, including developing a legally binding framework to control and manage ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species. The review and amendment of the NOx Technical Code 2008 to provide a means for certification of engines using non-carbon-containing fuel or mixtures of carbon-containing and non-carbon-containing fuels.
The committee also agreed to strengthen anonymization provisions in the 2022 Guidelines for further developing and managing the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database.
The committee will continue its review of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention at MEPC 83. This will include stocktaking the progress made and considering the way forward regarding the overall plan for completion of the review, with some high-level decisions needed to facilitate the achievement of the review targets.
The committee is expected to note an update from the PPR Sub-Committee on regulating the discharge from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) or “scrubbers.” Interested Member States and international organizations were invited to submit new proposals on regulatory measures addressing the matter to PPR 13 (early 2026).
The committee is expected to note the ongoing work on “polar fuels” (fuels most suitable for use in the Arctic to minimize environmental impact) and extend the target completion year for this output to 2027 to develop the concept further.
The committee will also consider proposals to designate the North-East Atlantic Ocean as an Emissions Control Area for SOX, PM, and NOX; and Protected and Specially Protected Areas (PSSAs) in the sea areas “Reserva Nacional Dorsal de Nasca” (Nasca Ridge National Reserve) and “Reserva Nacional Mar Tropical de Grau” (Grau Tropical Sea National Reserve) in South America’s Pacific Ocean.
The committee will continue reviewing the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention at MEPC 83.
The committee is expected to finalize draft legal text for these measures, referred to as the “IMO Net-Zero Framework.” This will consist of amendments to Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, expected to be approved by MEPC 83 for circulation immediately after the meeting, with a view to adoption by an extraordinary session of MEPC in October 2025.
The committee will request the re-establishment of the GESAMP Task Team on EGCS to develop a standard methodology for developing data sets and calculating emission factors for use in the environmental risk assessment of discharge water from EGCS and report its findings to PPR 13.
The committee will also consider proposals to designate the North East Atlantic Ocean as an Emissions Control Area for SOX, PM, and NOX and PSSAs in the sea areas “Reserva Nacional Dorsal de Nasca” (Nasca Ridge National Reserve) and “Reserva Nacional Mar Tropical de Grau” (Grau Tropical Sea National Reserve) in South America’s Pacific Ocean.
The committee will continue reviewing the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention at MEPC 83.
The committee is expected to finalize draft legal text for these measures, referred to as the “IMO Net-Zero Framework.” This will consist of amendments to Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, expected to be approved by MEPC 83 for circulation immediately after the meeting, with a view to adoption by an extraordinary session of MEPC in October 2025.
The committee will request the re-establishment of the GESAMP Task Team on EGCS to develop a standard methodology for developing data sets and calculating emission factors for use in the environmental risk assessment of discharge water from EGCS and report its findings to PPR 13.
The committee will also consider proposals to designate the North East Atlantic Ocean as an Emissions Control Area for SOX, PM, and NOX and PSSAs in the sea areas “Reserva Nacional Dorsal de Nasca” (Nasca Ridge National Reserve) and “Reserva Nacional Mar Tropical de Grau” (Grau Tropical Sea National Reserve) in South America’s Pacific Ocean.
The committee will continue reviewing the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention at MEPC 83.
The committee is expected to finalize draft legal text for these measures, referred to as the “IMO Net-Zero Framework.” This will consist of amendments to Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, expected to be approved by MEPC 83 for circulation immediately after the meeting, with a view to adoption by an extraordinary session of MEPC in October 2025.
Download the latest DNV presentation on MEPC 83 » GO.
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