At IMO MEPC 84, nations debated greenhouse gas reductions, with Turkey participating and various proposals on the table for future action.
A critical threshold has been crossed in the environmental agenda of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The 84th Session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) was held in London from April 27 to May 1, 2026. Turkey participated in the meeting through representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs.
The main agenda item of the meeting was the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships. Various policy options were opened for discussion in line with the IMO's net-zero targets. In this context, some countries advocated for the strengthening of technical guidelines, while others proposed the complete removal of existing funding mechanisms. Japan expressed that a more flexible approach should be adopted regarding greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Significant differences of opinion were also observed among country groups. The European Union defended the preservation of the existing NZF (Net Zero Framework) structure and its support through technical guidelines. Arab countries indicated that the system needed a more comprehensive revision and brought up the consideration of Liberia's proposals as a basis. The United States maintained its stance against mechanisms that include carbon pricing.
Additionally, the timeline for the continuation of the process was clarified during the meeting. The ISWG-GHG 22 meeting, focused on greenhouse gas issues, is planned to take place in September 2026, while the ISWG-GHG 23 meeting is scheduled for November 2026. Topics such as draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, the implementation of medium-term measures, and the development of a life cycle analysis framework will be addressed in these meetings.
On the other hand, it was decided to organize expert workshops on the 'chain of custody' model aimed at increasing fuel traceability.
The scope of the Fifth IMO Greenhouse Gas Study was also clarified. While the technical and methodological framework for the study covering the period from 2018 to 2025 has been completed, the report is expected to be presented in 2028.
The decisions made indicate that efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the global shipping sector will gain momentum.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
