by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

This week, pressure over decarbonisation strategies intensified after the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) requested that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) reconsider its Net Zero Framework ahead of its formal adoption.

Christopher Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and Chief Executive, gave a speech at the launch of the 2025 ABS Sustainability Outlook in London, describing the shipping industry and IMO as following "different trajectories."

He questioned the framework's viability, stating that "There is no clear pathway for green fuel availability, scalability, and infrastructure support.

He added, "LNG and biofuels are mission critical to any success and should not be overlooked, over-penalised or discarded in the Net Zero regulation. Quite frankly, achieving net zero for shipping by 2050 looks like a wildcard."

According to the ABS's sustainability outlook, carbon intensity per transport unit has decreased over two decades, but total well-to-wake emissions remain 121% above the 2008 baseline.

Absolute emissions continue to climb despite improvements in carbon intensity, says the ABS.

In addition, the bureau believes that there will be economic implications for vessel operators. A typical vessel trading within the EU could experience daily operating costs rising to around USD 49,000 by 2035.

Earlier this year, the framework faced opposition from the Trump Administration. The administration has indicated potential retaliatory responses, including tariffs, visa restrictions, and port levies against supporting countries.

The IMO's Net Zero Framework awaits formal adoption in October 2025, with implementation scheduled for 2027.

Approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 83rd session in April 2025, the framework would establish the world's first mandatory emissions limits combined with greenhouse gas pricing across an entire industry sector.