The push for the first global price on greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport is gaining momentum. A growing number of countries within the International Maritime Organization have signaled support for this option after two weeks of negotiations by the UN agency dedicated to shipping, which accounts for about 3 to 4 percent of human-caused emissions. Specifically, 34 countries across the European Union, the Caribbean, the Pacific, Africa, and Canada have expressed backing for putting a price on maritime emissions. Beyond the IMO, which includes states with a strong maritime sector, more than 100 countries support this mechanism in other venues. Fourteen other IMO members favor alternative approaches and oppose a universal tax on emissions.
Expediting decarbonization
The discussion took place during the IMO’s first session in the Committee on the Protection of the Marine Environment, following last year’s July adoption of a new strategy to curb emissions from maritime transport. The strategy set a target to reduce emissions by up to 30 percent by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050. At that time, the IMO also emphasized the need to establish some form of global pricing for emissions, with a view to implementing it by late 2025. The move aims to speed up shipping companies’ transition to greener fuels and to elevate demand for low-carbon alternatives. Work now focuses on finalizing the mechanism that will make these new tools effective.
Among the countries supporting a greenhouse gas emissions tax, the Pacific Islands and Belize have proposed a concrete figure: a tax of 150 dollars per ton of emissions. The discussion includes considerations of how the tax would be applied and how to ensure it achieves real reductions without placing disproportionate burdens on certain regions.
Europe-wide implementation
In Europe, the new levy on maritime emissions took effect earlier this year. The rollout is gradual: the levy applies to half of the emissions generated on routes linking European ports to destinations outside the European Union, while connections between EU member states are taxed at 100 percent. Major European ports have opposed making Europe the first to adopt this rule, arguing that such a policy should be addressed globally rather than regionally.
A prominent voice from the sector noted that the United Nations must secure broad national buy-in for the policy to succeed, warning that the plan hinges on whether countries will participate. This stance reflects concerns about balancing environmental goals with the needs of the shipping industry and coastal communities that depend on maritime activity.
Additional measures
The Clean Shipping Coalition welcomed the growing support for greenhouse gas emission pricing, stating that it ensures polluters pay. However, it cautioned that IMO member states should also consider complementary measures, such as improving ship energy efficiency through a carbon intensity indicator, to guarantee that vessels start operating cleaner now rather than awaiting future standards. Attention has also turned to the proper calculation of a global fuel standard that accounts for emissions across the entire supply chain. The coalition’s energy and transport experts urge negotiators to consider lifecycle emissions so that options like grey hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, and biofuels do not simply replace one problematic fuel with another.
Overall, the discussions emphasize a strategic approach to maritime decarbonization that combines pricing with efficiency improvements and robust fuel standards. The goal remains clear: align global markets with a path toward significantly lower emissions while preserving the efficiency and reliability of international shipping, which moves a substantial share of global trade. Marked citations and statements from industry groups and international bodies illustrate how a coordinated policy can influence ships, fuels, and fleets in diverse regions across North America and beyond.