The International Maritime Organization has postponed a vote on its Net-Zero Framework for shipping emissions by one year following what Transport & Environment describes as pressure tactics from the United States and other countries.

The Brussels-based campaign group said negotiations at the IMO ended with the framework's adoption delayed until October 2026, after what it characterised as "a week of pressure and delay tactics from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and a number of other countries."

Dr. Alison Shaw, IMO Manager at Transport & Environment, said: "The delay leaves the shipping sector drifting in uncertainty. But this week has also shown that there is a clear desire to clean up the shipping industry, even in the face of US bullying."

The postponement could mean the framework may not come into force until 2030, even if adopted next year, according to Transport & Environment.

The organisation said the delay undermines years of work on the IMO's plan to cut shipping's greenhouse gas emissions but argued that member states should use the additional time to strengthen the framework.

Transport & Environment claims elements such as incentives for green e-fuels and safeguards to prevent first-generation biofuels from driving deforestation need development.

Shaw added: "The world cannot let intimidation and vested interests dictate the pace of climate action. Climate-ambitious countries must use this moment to build a strong majority in support of meaningful decarbonisation."

The group said the EU must continue strengthening its own maritime policies, which it described as "the only substantive regulations to tackle shipping emissions in the void left by the IMO NZF."

Transport & Environment argued that regional action remains possible regardless of US participation in global frameworks.

The Net-Zero Framework represents the IMO's approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, with negotiations having taken place over several years among the organisation's member states.