IMO DCS 2025: Is shipping’s decarbonisation progress fast enough?

Each year, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) reviews a summary report that the IMO Secretariat prepares from verified data submitted by shipowners for the previous reporting year. The report covering 2025 data will be considered during the upcoming MEPC 85, scheduled for 30 November to 3 December 2026. The session will also be critical for discussions on the draft amendments incorporating the IMO Net-Zero Framework, ahead of the possible resumption of the extraordinary MEPC session on 4 December, when its adoption is due to be considered.

Fuel consumption trends Annual fuel consumption was around 221 million tonnes in 2025, of which alternative fuels accounted for around 18.3 million tonnes. The use of alternative fuels[1] has been rising steadily, from 5.9% of the shipping energy demand[2] in 2019 to 9.5% in 2025.

Biofuels maintained their strong momentum, with consumption doubling over the year. Their share of shipping’s alternative fuel demand increased to around 12% compared to 6.2% in 2024.

The lead alternative fuel, LNG, has remained stable YoY in absolute consumption terms, with total LNG consumption remaining just short of 15 million tonnes. Methanol’s consumption has grown steadily, but its share among all alternative fuels remains stable at 0.3% on an energy basis. Ammonia is yet to make its debut in the IMO DCS reports, and the stakeholders anticipate seeing a new column for ammonia in next year’s data.

This story was originally published by Hellenic Shipping News. Read the full story at Hellenic Shipping News →