Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 18), 17-21 February 2025

The Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 18) met for its 18th meeting from 17 to 21 February, 2025, chaired by Mr. Sveinung Oftedal (Norway). The summary of discussions is outlined below.

Discussions on candidate mid-term GHG reduction measures  

The 2023 IMO GHG Strategy commits Member States to adopting new mid-term measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships in late 2025, including: 

  • a technical element, namely a goal-based marine fuel standard regulating the phased reduction of a marine fuel's GHG intensity; and  
  • an economic element, on the basis of a maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism.  

The Intersessional Working Group continued discussions on candidate mid-term GHG reduction measures, using the draft text for an “IMO net-zero framework” developed at MEPC 82, as the basis. The aim is to further develop and streamline draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI.  

This draft text integrates inputs and proposals from Member States and international organizations on possible amendments to be made to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL, Annex VI). These amendments, if adopted, would incorporate the proposed mid-term measures into the treaty, which has 108 Parties representing 97.3% of world merchant shipping tonnage.   

The Working Group discussed a range of topics, including global marine fuel intensity regulations, the economic mechanism’s structure, the organizational and operational aspects of the proposed ‘IMO Net-Zero Fund’, revenue disbursement, and potential food security impacts.  

The Group agreed to keep all proposals for an economic element (GHG pricing mechanism) under consideration and acknowledged potential “bridging options” suggested by some Member States. Efforts will continue toward defining amendments to MARPOL Annex VI that could achieve consensus approval at MEPC 83.  

Delegations reaffirmed their commitment to continue exploring possible ways to converge their positions and find common ground.   

After reviewing the draft IMO net-zero framework, the Chair, in consultation with the Secretariat, prepared an updated version of the proposed MARPOL Annex VI amendments. This version introduces areas of agreement and the Chair’s proposed possible consolidated text for further discussion. It will be annexed to the Group’s report to MEPC 83 as a “work-in-progress", without pre-empting future changes, and will be further considered at the 19th meeting of the Intersessional Working Group (31 March - 1 April 2025).  

Impact of mid-term measures on food security 

The Working Group agreed that food security remained an important issue to be addressed in the further development of the IMO net-nero framework, without delaying the adoption of the amendments to MARPOL Annex VI.    

The Working Group noted the outcomes of the Expert Workshop held at IMO Headquarters on 13 February 2025 to facilitate the understanding of the possible impacts of the candidate mid-term measures on food security (EW-GHG 6).  

The Group recommended that the MEPC 83:   

  • agree that the impacts of the measures on food security are to be taken into account and addressed, as appropriate, in the further development of the IMO net-zero framework. 
  • agree that in the period between the adoption of the IMO net-nero framework and its entry into force, further assessment of the potential impacts on food security resulting from the adopted framework should be conducted; and  
  • keep the potential impacts on food security under continuous review so that any necessary adjustments may be made, as appropriate.   

Life Cycle GHG assessment 

The Working Group continued its work on the further revision of the Guidelines on life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (2024 LCA Guidelines). The LCA guidelines provide a method for calculating total GHG emissions from marine fuels, covering the entire process from production to use ("Well-to-Wake"). This includes emissions from fuel extraction and transport ("Well-to-Tank") as well as from combustion on the ship ("Tank-to-Wake"). 

A GESAMP Working Group on Life Cycle GHG Intensity of Marine Fuels (GESAMP-LCA WG) has been established to review scientific and technical issues related to the life cycle assessment methodology.  

The Working Group invited the MEPC to note the discussions of the GESAMP-LCA WG on key issues, including:  

  • the scientific review of the LCA methodology;  
  • the scientific review of the well-to-tank (WtT) GHG default emission factors of fuel production pathways and technologies and the tank-to-wake (TtW) GHG default emission factors of fuel usage and onboard technologies; and  
  • sustainability themes/aspects and indirect land use change (ILUC). 

The Working Group invited MEPC 83 to approve the draft Methodology for submission, scientific review and recommendation of proposed default emission factors by GESAMP-LCA WG, with a view to issuance as an MEPC Circular. 

Provisional dates for the next meetings of the GESAMP-LCA WG  

The GESAMP-LCA WG provisionally agreed to hold two in-person meetings in 2025, tentatively scheduled to take place in June/July and October.   

MEPC 83  

The report of the intersessional group will be presented to MEPC 83 (7-11 April 2025) as document MEPC.83/WP.6. A Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships is expected to be established during MEPC 83.  

ISWG-GHG 19  

The next meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 19) will be held 31 March and 1 April 2025, ahead of MEPC 83.   

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