With the only not entirely unexpected exception of the reaction of Intertanko, the association that represents the operating fleets of tanker vessels, all other Main international organizations of operators in the sector have expressed disappointment at the one-year postponement decided on Friday by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) definition of the Net-Zero Framework strategy for the decarbonization of shipping ( of 17 October 2025). To the disappointment expressed in the heat of the moment by several leading associations in this market, have now been added manifestations of more or less accentuated disappointment than other representatives of the sector.

Regret for the missed opportunity was expressed by the CLECAT, the European association representing companies of shipping and logistics, which reiterated the importance of a global regulatory framework defined by the IMO to prevent the Carbon leakage from transportation maritime. CLECAT highlighted that "regulations inconsistent regional inconsistencies could encourage carriers to redirect ships to areas with less stringent environmental standards. Fragmentation - underlined the association - not only would weaken decarbonisation efforts, but would also create unfair competition conditions, in particular for operators European. The maritime sector needs clarity, not further uncertainty". CLECAT specified that it will continue to commit to a robust regulatory framework in line with the global climate goals.

The World Shipping Council (WSC) and Intercargo, the associations representing respectively the shipowners who Fleets of container ships operate and those operating fleets bulk carriers, urged the use of the one-year postponement to fill some gaps that in their opinion the current draft presents settlement agreement, in order to ensure an effective global agreement. Recalling that "the 2023 IMO Greenhouse Gas Strategy and the investment trajectory remain aligned towards the goal of net zero emissions by 2050', the WSC reiterated the need for 'an agreed framework to global level to ensure a level playing field for achieve this goal. The maritime transport sector of line - specified the association - is committed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and has invested $150 billion in ships designed to work with ecological fuels. The IMO remains the right venue to provide a global solution. We are committed to continuing to cooperate with governments to ensure the necessary regulatory consistency, support production and infrastructure for renewable fuels and maintaining the energy transition of maritime transport on the good road."

Intercargo also reiterated its support for the IMO "in as the only global regulator capable of adopting consistent measures and effective for international maritime transport. Hope that the current postponement - commented the Secretary General of Intercargo, Kostas Gkonis - represents an opportunity for a further dialogue. The time ahead should be used in a constructive and effective way to bridge differences of position between IMO Member States and to ensure that the voice and the contribution of the sector are listened to and acknowledged. We invite the IMO Member States to cooperate more closely between but also in partnership with the maritime community, to agree on a realistic, practical and applicable regulatory framework global level".

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), the voice of operators active in the segment of the supply of fuels to the naval sector, taking note of the joke of the strategy imposed by the MEPC, a meeting from which the expected a different outcome, reiterated his support for the efforts for the decarbonization of shipping at the IMO by taking whereas at present the issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions greenhouse gas emissions, and in particular the pricing of emissions, is evidently politically controversial for many countries to the point that reaching a consensus at this stage is not possible.

Much less optimistic was the reaction of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the international association which deals with all issues of environmental protection, according to which "the current delay in the adoption of Net-Zero Framework represents a missed opportunity and - specified Natacha Stamatiou, Head of Global Shipping and EDF Delegation at the IMO - a setback that will derail the timeline agreed by countries as part of the 2023 strategy of the International Maritime Organization. Any delay - has denounced - means that innovation will have difficulties inequalities will widen and the transition will become more widespread. towards clean shipping will become more difficult and expensive". The association noted that the postponement "delays crucial progress, postponing the start of the implementation initially planned for 2028 and slowing down the negotiations on the detailed guidelines that should have start next week on the occasion of the twentieth Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Emissions (ISWG-GHG 20)'. "We know - Stamatiou underlined - that the Progress is possible when governments act together. Hour they have the opportunity to prove it. We can't afford to wait any longer. It is essential that Member States return at the negotiating table and take measures that reflect a wise ambition, ensuring a just and sustainable energy transition to ensure a cleaner and fairer future for the future generations".

For the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST), the association of engineers and scientists that deals with marine environment, the postponement of the Net-Zero program by one year Framework represents "a major blow to decarbonization maritime transport' and 'now causes greater uncertainty about how and when to invest in new ships and fuels. The Framework - the association noted - would have made the transport maritime sector the first and, so far, the only sector with reductions binding emissions: a huge feather in the cap for the maritime sector and an even bigger win for the climate".