IMO Net-Zero Framework: targets and costs
The draft global fuel standard for shipping, not yet adopted. See the targets and what a ship's current fuel mix would cost from 2028.
Updated 2026-10-20
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Status
Not adopted. The IMO postponed the adoption decision by one year in October 2025; the vote is due in late 2026. The figures on this page are those of the draft approved in principle at MEPC 83 in April 2025 and may change in the adopted text. Treat everything here as a scenario.
How the framework would work
From 2028, ships of 5,000 GT and above in international trade would report the greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI) of all the energy they use, well-to-wake, in gCO₂e/MJ, and compare it with two targets that fall each year from the 2008 reference of 93.3 gCO₂e/MJ:
- Above the base target: remedial units for the gap down to the base target, at about US$380 per tonne CO₂e, plus tier 1 units for the gap between the base and direct targets.
- Between the base and direct targets: tier 1 remedial units at about US$100 per tonne CO₂e.
- Below the direct target: surplus units, which can be banked or transferred.
| Year | Base target | Base GFI (gCO₂e/MJ) | Direct target | Direct GFI (gCO₂e/MJ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | 4% | 89.57 | 17% | 77.44 |
| 2029 | 6% | 87.70 | 19% | 75.57 |
| 2030 | 8% | 85.84 | 21% | 73.71 |
| 2031 | 12.4% | 81.73 | 25.4% | 69.60 |
| 2032 | 16.8% | 77.63 | 29.8% | 65.50 |
| 2033 | 21.2% | 73.52 | 34.2% | 61.39 |
| 2034 | 25.6% | 69.42 | 38.6% | 57.29 |
| 2035 | 30% | 65.31 | 43% | 53.18 |
Why it matters now
Unlike the EU schemes, the framework would cover every voyage, not only those to and from Europe. A ship on heavy fuel oil at about 92 gCO₂e/MJ would already be above the 2028 base target. The calculator below applies a ship's current fuel mix to 2028.
Questions
Has the IMO Net-Zero Framework been adopted?
Not adopted. The IMO postponed the adoption decision by one year in October 2025; the vote is due in late 2026.
What is the GFI?
The greenhouse gas fuel intensity: the well-to-wake emissions of all the energy a ship uses in a year, in gCO₂e per MJ.
What would remedial units cost?
About US$100 per tonne CO₂e for tier 1 and US$380 for tier 2, in the draft.
Which ships would it cover?
Ships of 5,000 GT and above in international trade, for all their voyages, from 2028.
How is it different from FuelEU Maritime?
FuelEU covers only energy used on voyages to, from and within Europe. The framework would cover every voyage, worldwide.
EU ETS, FuelEU, CII and UK ETS for each ship, from the public register or your own data, with the reports for owners, charterers and lenders.