The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has announced that its newly endorsed net-zero emissions framework will be formally adopted by October 2025. The framework, which aims to decarbonise international shipping by 2050, is expected to revolutionise fuel standards, port infrastructure, seafarer training, and investment models in the maritime industry.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez made the announcement during the just-concluded Blue Economy Finance Forum held in Monaco, stressing that the new regulations are mandatory and will apply to all ocean-going vessels engaged in international trade, regardless of their country of registration.
The IMO’s net-zero strategy, first endorsed in April 2025, sets an ambitious timeline for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the maritime sector. At the core of this framework is a two-pronged approach: the introduction of a global fuel standard that limits the GHG intensity of marine fuels, and a market-based measure that imposes a price on carbon emissions from shipping.
According to Dominguez, these measures will “send a strong market signal to fuel producers” and “incentivise early adopters of clean technologies in the shipping industry.” He added that while regulatory frameworks are essential, achieving net-zero by 2050 will require substantial investments in alternative fuel technologies, such as green ammonia, hydrogen, and methanol, as well as in upgrading port bunkering facilities for safe fuel delivery.
Currently, global shipping consumes approximately 350 million tonnes of fossil fuel annually. To meet the new IMO standards, that figure must be drastically reduced and replaced with scalable, cleaner alternatives. This transition calls for a massive overhaul of port infrastructure, not only to accommodate new fuels but to ensure safety in handling and distribution.
In addition, Dominguez highlighted that nearly 500,000 seafarers will need to be retrained by 2030 to safely operate vessels powered by alternative fuels. “This is not just a technological shift, but a transformation of the entire maritime ecosystem—from ship design to human resource development and safety protocols,” he said.
The World Shipping Council (WSC) has lauded the IMO’s decision, stating that the industry is already preparing for the net-zero transition. According to WSC President Joe Kramek, more than 200 container ships with zero or near-zero emissions capabilities are already in operation. Furthermore, nearly 80% of new orders for container and vehicle carriers are now being built with hybrid or zero-emission capabilities.
The sector has also seen unprecedented investment in decarbonisation efforts. “The liner industry has invested over $150 billion in sustainable technologies, reflecting a firm commitment to climate responsibility,” Kramek added.
Similarly, Christine Cabau-Woehrel, Executive Vice-President of French shipping conglomerate CMA CGM, described the IMO framework as “a much-needed catalyst” for systemic change. She stressed that coordinated international and cross-sector collaboration will be crucial to the plan’s success.
For Nigeria and other African nations, the net-zero roadmap presents both challenges and opportunities. Nigeria, with one of the largest port systems in West Africa, stands to benefit from investments in green port infrastructure, bunkering services, and maritime innovation. However, its current dependence on fossil-fuel based operations and lack of clean energy port facilities may require urgent government and private sector collaboration.
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy is expected to lead discussions on aligning national policy with the IMO’s targets ahead of the formal adoption deadline in October 2025.
While the framework will be reviewed every five years—with emission limits tightening progressively—the October 2025 adoption date marks a critical milestone in global climate diplomacy and shipping reform. The IMO is calling on stakeholders—governments, investors, shipping firms, and multilateral organisations—to act swiftly to ensure the framework’s seamless implementation.
Dominguez summed up the urgency succinctly: “We have already spent money polluting the environment. Now is the time to invest in cleaning it up—for the sake of the planet and future generations.”