Last week’s MEPC 83 meeting at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) marked a milestone for the maritime industry. The approval of the draft Net-Zero Framework, including a global fuel standard, GHG pricing, and the IMO Net-Zero Fund, signals the start of a growing alignment around the urgent need to decarbonize shipping.
At PortXchange, we welcome this development. But as always, the real work lies in implementation.
Regulation Is Only the Start. The Net-Zero Framework
While the IMO’s framework outlines ambitious objectives, turning ambition into action will demand consistency, accountability and technological readiness across the sector. That means more than agreeing on goals. It means delivering robust, standardized ways to measure progress.
At the MEPC 83, it approved a new Chapter 5 and related amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, laying the legal foundation for the Net-Zero Framework. Although passed by a majority vote, the implications are significant. It could pave the way for mechanisms like the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to scale globally. That would help level the playing field for ports around the world and mark real progress in embedding the environmental cost of shipping into its economics.
The next crucial step is adoption, scheduled for an extraordinary MEPC session in October 2025. To move forward, the amendments must be accepted by at least two-thirds of the parties to MARPOL Annex VI, representing no less than 50% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant fleet. Once adopted and ratified, member states will be required to integrate the Net-Zero Framework into their national maritime regulations.
After that, the real challenge begins: applying the framework in practice. Each country will need to tailor implementation to their local maritime context. At the same time, the IMO must develop a fair model to distribute revenues from global GHG trading. The goal is to support at-risk member states in building climate-resilient infrastructure and to accelerate investment in a global, net-zero shipping fuel system. In both cases, ports will be absolutely central.
Yet one critical gap remains: emissions reporting. To meet net-zero targets and ensure fairness across the global fleet, we need universal, transparent, and verifiable emissions data. Without this foundation, any pricing mechanism or fuel mandate risks falling short of its intended impact.
Let’s Talk Data: The Role of EmissionsInsider
That’s why we developed EmissionsInsider, a data-driven platform designed to make emissions transparency simple and actionable. By offering granular insights into both port, logistics and voyage-related emissions, EmissionsInsider equips shipping lines, terminals, and authorities to:
- Measure emissions accurately and consistently
- Benchmark performance
- Report confidently against current and future regulatory requirements
In a world of tightening regulations, a shared baseline for emissions data is not a nice-to-have; it’s a must.
“To make true progress, we need consistent and transparent emissions data that allows for direct comparisons across ports, shipping lines, and regions,” says our CEO, Sjoerd de Jager. “We built EmissionsInsider to provide exactly that level of visibility, moving the industry from compliance to active emissions reduction. But data alone isn’t enough. The sector needs to break down silos, integrate systems and collaborate across carriers, ports, and regulators. But most importantly, we need port executives and professionals to take action even when things are still uncertain and unclear, and dare to lead the industry in these unchartered waters. That’s where the real progress will come from.”
Driving Efficiency Through Just-In-Time (JIT) Port Calls
But reporting alone won’t get us to zero. Operational efficiency must play a leading role.
The global standard for GHG fuel intensity will be a wake-up call for many operators. It’s not just about what fuels we burn. It’s about when and how we burn them. That’s where Just-In-Time (JIT) port calls come in.
Through our PortXchange Synchronizer platform, we enable vessels and ports to coordinate more efficiently, avoiding unnecessary anchorage time and reducing emissions during port calls. JIT arrival isn’t futuristic; it’s actionable now and it can deliver immediate environmental and economic gains.
The Net-Zero Framework. A Challenge to the Industry and Ourselves
PortXchange stands ready to support the IMO’s vision with real-world tools that help the maritime industry adapt quickly and equitably. But we also challenge the IMO and member states:
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- Ensure that emissions reporting standards are truly universal and interoperable across jurisdictions
- Provide clarity on how digital tools and data platforms can integrate into regulatory compliance
- Make space for innovation by encouraging private sector collaboration and open data models
- Ensure a just and equitable transition into a net-zero shipping reality, including the rights of the seafarers, the Global South and at-risk member states in the design and execution of the transition.
The Road Ahead
The clock is ticking. With the Net-Zero Framework due for adoption in October and entering into force by 2027, we have a window to align the industry behind a digital, transparent and verifiable pathway to decarbonization.
At PortXchange, we’re more than ready. We’re already making it happen.
Let’s turn regulation into transformation together! Contact us if you’d like to be part of the transformation.
