IMO Net Zero Framework

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has committed to achieving net zero emissions from international shipping by around 2050. To deliver this, a new global market-based measure (MBM) is being developed: the IMO Net Zero Framework.

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What the IMO Net Zero Framework may include:

The IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF) is the regulatory follow-up to the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, aiming for net-zero emissions in international shipping by 2050.

If adopted in October 2025, the NZF will set legally binding requirements on GHG fuel intensity, paired with a global pricing and reward mechanism — the first of its kind for an industry-wide sector. It applies to ships over 5,000 GT in international trade, starting from 2028.

The framework is technology-neutral, measuring well-to-wake emissions per unit of energy with sustainability criteria, and provides long-term certainty for shipowners and fuel suppliers.

With zero- or near-zero fuels costing up to four times more than fossil fuels, shipowners are encouraged to prepare early for compliance and the transition to cleaner energy.

Why IMO Net Zero matters

For the first time, carbon pricing could apply globally across shipping, creating a level playing field. This will increase compliance costs but also create new opportunities for efficiency, transparency, and strategy.

OceanScore helps you to prepare for this complexity, ensuring companies stay compliant.

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