Nautilus International has called for a worldwide commitment to worker-centred climate policies after the United States withdrew from crucial maritime environmental negotiations at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 83rd session.
The union is urging countries to push ahead with shipping decarbonisation plans despite the Trump administration abandoning talks at the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee 83rd session (IMO MEPC 83).
In its statement to the MEPC 83, the US administration described the climate negotiations as ‘an attempt to redistribute wealth under the guise of environmental protection’ and rejected proposals to use what it termed ‘hypothetical expensive and unproven fuels’ to achieve maritime net zero by 2050.
The US further threatened countermeasures against any country that imposes emission-based fees on American vessels.
Furthermore, the IMO has been developing carbon reduction measures including a pricing system for greenhouse gas emissions. These measures were expected to be finalised at the London meeting and formally adopted in late 2025.
Maritime transport accounts for roughly 80% of the volume of international trade in goods. It is essential that our industry decarbonises.
…said Mark Dickinson, General Secretary, Nautilus.
Dickinson continued by pointing out that after years of negotiations and pressure, the shipping industry is finally taking steps to tackle emissions and the actions of the Trump administration cannot be permitted to delay progress at this crucial moment.
We call on European and global IMO member states to commit to the MEPC negotiations. Further, as a trade union, we will be continuing our campaign for a Just Transition – one that puts workers at the heart of these changes, ensures they can do their jobs safely, and allows them to benefit from the deployment of new technology.
…Mark Dickinson concluded.
