Did anything happen at MEPC last week?

LAST week, delegates met once again in London for the International Maritime Organization’s marine environment protection committee.

The two editions in 2025, MEPC83 in April and the extraordinary session in October, generated some of the biggest stories in shipping.

To the surprise of many, the Net-Zero Framework agreed in April’s meeting was not adopted in October, thanks to stiff opposition from the US and several oil-producing states.

Instead, governments agreed to a one‑year postponement, leaving shipping’s green deal not dead, perhaps, but certainly not healthy.

So here we are again at MEPC 84. And what, exactly, has changed?

Lloyd’s List senior reporter Declan Bush, who covers decarbonisation and attended every day of MEPC84, sat down to explain what unfolded last week and whether it brings shipping any closer to a decision on the NZF.