Global plastics governance enters a critical period

Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) come into force on August 1, 2025, requiring ships of over 5,000 gross tons to submit more granular fuel consumption data, including shore power usage and the application of innovative technologies. The European Union has strengthened its Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan over the same period to promote decarbonization of the shipping industry by requiring all ships to disclose data on their transport performance from 2026. In the area of plastics governance, negotiations on the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty are due to resume in September 2025, and the United Nations is expected to launch a global plastics treaty in the near future.