IMO MEPC83 – April May Define the Future of Maritime Decarbonization

How MEPC83 Affects Shipping Companies: Compliance, Costs, and Uncertainty

April 2025 could be a pivotal month for shipping — especially in terms of how MEPC83 affects shipping companies navigating a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. The 83rd session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) convenes in London on April 7, and the stakes are high for decarbonization policy.

The new IMO GHG strategy calls for:

1. A 20–30% reduction in emissions by 2030
2. 70% emissions reduction by 2040
3. Over 5% of fuels used to be climate-friendly by 2030

Circulating drafts hint at a global bunker-standard-based policy – something many already call “FuelEU+.” But adoption is anything but guaranteed.

The Process

1. April 2025 (MEPC83): Measures will be discussed and ideally agreed upon
2. October 2025 (MEPC84): Formal approval targeted
3. January 1, 2027: Expected entry into force

Still, uncertainties loom. Will the current draft receive sufficient support?

Key Implications: What MEPC83 Means for Shipping Companies

The outcome of MEPC83 could reshape maritime compliance for years to come. If the proposed global fuel standard is adopted, questions arise:

1. If adopted, Will the EU, UK, Turkey and others scrap or harmonise their existing regulations?
2. If not: Will more ETS-style regional regulations emerge, creating a patchwork that increases complexity and cost?

Timing is critical. Clarity may not arrive until late 2025, and shipping companies must act now to remain agile and informed. Understanding how MEPC83 affects shipping companies is essential for a proactive strategy in 2025 and beyond.

OceanScore’s Role: Supporting Your MEPC83 Compliance Strategy

At OceanScore, we are committed to standing by your side, whatever direction global or regional regulation takes. We support you in:

1. Defining commercially viable compliance strategies
2. Managing interactions between owners, managers, and charterers
3. Ensuring transparency and maintaining control

With MEPC83 on the horizon, the time to prepare is now.