The US warning countries to reject the IMO’s so-called Net Zero shipping deal or face tariffs sounds brutal on the surface. But look a little deeper and you can see why Washington might be pushing back. “This isn’t a fight about saving the planet. It is about who controls the cash and who sets the rules”, says Rob Mortimer, CEO of FuelRe4m.
He continues: “The IMO’s proposal looks like climate policy, but in practice it functions more like a global tax system. What shipping needs is meaningful decarbonisation, not another round of carbon-credit schemes and subsidies that deliver little change at sea.”
The IMO’s framework relies heavily on new funds, subsidies, and carbon-trading mechanisms. According to Mr Mortimer, the US position is that these approaches risk funnelling advantages toward large fuel suppliers and well-capitalised shipowners, while leaving smaller operators and developing nations exposed. At the same time, the emphasis on unproven technologies such as large-scale carbon capture fails to deliver immediate reductions in emissions.
“Decarbonisation is an operational challenge, not an accounting exercise,” Mr Mortimer added. “If the industry continues to focus on financial engineering instead of practical solutions, we will lose sight of the original goal of cutting carbon from ships.”
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The recent U.S. pushback against the IMO deal, including threats of tariffs, highlights the geopolitical stakes. “Washington’s stance may appear confrontational, but it exposes a legitimate concern. This is as much about control of markets and financial flows as it is about reducing emissions,” Mr Mortimer said.
With shipping responsible for around three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Mr Mortimer stressed the urgency of adopting practical, scalable solutions. “We already have tools that work, from route optimisation and slow steaming to cleaner propulsion systems and advanced fuels. Regulators must focus on measures that can be deployed today and ensure that decarbonisation is accessible across the entire industry, not just the top tier of shipowners.”
He concludes: “At FuelRe4m, we believe regulators must refocus on policies that deliver genuine emissions cuts and make decarbonisation accessible across the industry. Until the conversation shifts back to real-world solutions at sea, the push for net zero will remain more slogan than strategy.”
