The Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded its 84th session with a commitment to rebuild consensus on global shipping emissions, while sounding the alarm over environmental risks in the Strait of Hormuz and adopting new measures to curb air pollution in the Northeast Atlantic.

Closing the meeting, held from 27 April to 1 May 2026 in London, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said:

“We are back on track, but we have to rebuild trust. I encourage you to maintain this momentum through your intersessional work and to prepare submissions that can bring the membership together.”

The Committee will resume its Second Extraordinary Session on Friday 4 December 2026, subject to confirmation by the 85th session (MEPC 85) scheduled to convene 30 November to 3 December

New Emissions Control Area for the North-East Atlantic

The Committee adopted a new Emission Control Area (ECA) in the North-East Atlantic, introducing stricter emission limits on nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM). The entry into force date is set for 1 September 2027, with the ECA taking effect 12 months later in 2028.

2026 Strategy and Action Plan on marine plastic litter

The Committee adopted the 2026 Strategy and the Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, reaffirming IMO's goal of zero plastic waste discharges to sea from ships by 2030.

Other key decisions 

The Committee also took action on the following:

• Approved the Terms of Reference for the Fifth IMO GHG Study and requested the IMO Secretariat to initiate the procurement process for the study;
• Adopted 2026 Guidelines for test bed and onboard measurements of CH4 and/or N2O emissions from marine diesel engines;
• Approved draft amendments to the 2008 NOx Technical Code in relation to non-carbon containing fuels, with a view to subsequent adoption.  
• Agreed that a standalone legally binding instrument should be developed for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species.

To read full report  please click the following link 

https://imo-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/imo-progresses-work-on-ship-emissions-pollution-and-ocean-protection