From 27 April to 01 May 2026, the 84th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84) was held at the International Maritime Organization headquarters in London. This important session brought together delegations from Member States and experts from the maritime community to continue discussions on the guidelines for the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (IMO NZF) and to seek a compromise in light of the adjournment of adoption voted at the extraordinary session in late 2025 (MEPC/ ES.2).

The International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) was represented at MEPC 84 by a delegation with significant experience in the field, consisting of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Laurentiu Chiotoroiu from Jade University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and Prof. Dr. Merica Slišković from the University of Split (Croatia).

Dr. Slišković (left) and Dr. Chiotoroiu (right) in the plenary hall during a coffee break

MEPC plenary session on Friday 1 May 2026: Consideration of the report of the Committee

The deliberations during MEPC 84 focused on a number of matters, including the Reduction of the GHG emissions from ships (draft terms of reference for the fifth IMO GHG Study); Air pollution prevention and Energy efficiency of ships (draft amendments to the NOx Technical Code 2008, phase 2 of the review of short-term GHG reduction measures, amendments to the Data Collection System database IMO DCS guidelines, etc); Harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water (review of the Ballast Water Management Convention), Amendments to mandatory instruments, and various other topics.

Dr. Chiotoroiu and Dr. Slišković attended the discussions within two working groups, namely the Working Group on Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency and Ballast Water Review Group, as well as in the plenary sessions.

As a key takeaway of IMO MEPC 84, even though no legally binding breakthrough was achieved during MEPC 84 regarding IMO NZF, the process is officially “back on track” as stipulated by Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez (centre) with IAMU delegates, Prof. Dr. L. Chiotoroiu (right) and Prof. Dr. Merica Slišković (left) (Photo: IAMU)

Our team noted a consensus to continue negotiations and seek a compromise regarding carbon pricing mechanism, as evidenced by the creation of two additional intersessional working groups that will continue the negotiations and eventually present their final decisions at MEPC 85 late November 2026. Until then, work on IMO NZF will continue, with the focus on developing detailed implementation guidelines (e.g., GFI calculation guidelines, Sustainable Fuel Certification Schemes).

The message received by us at MEPC 84 is that the shift toward a decarbonized shipping industry is further progressing. Despite an unclear regulatory timeline post 2026, the MET institutions should rapidly adapt their curricula to bridge the skills gap, supporting the industry’s transition toward the net-zero framework.

Reported by
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Laurentiu Chiotoroiu from Jade University of Applied Sciences (Germany) 
Prof. Dr. Merica Slišković from the University of Split (Croatia)