Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Italy have agreed to coordinate their positions on shipping emissions rules at both the European Union and International Maritime Organization levels, according to ENGINE. The four countries set out their shared approach after a ministerial meeting held in Limassol, Cyprus, where they discussed the EU Emissions Trading System and the IMO Net-Zero Framework.

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The joint declaration adopted after the meeting described the regulations they seek as realistic, globally applicable and cost effective. The four countries said they would work together in forthcoming EU and IMO negotiations and would pursue the widest possible consensus on measures that support shipping’s transition to green fuels while preserving the sector’s competitiveness.

According to the declaration, shipping regulations should reflect the practical needs of the global shipping sector and should be drawn up in consultation with the industry. The four countries also urged the IMO to develop globally applicable measures that keep a level playing field for international shipping.

Voting records diverge

All four countries voted in favour of approving the IMO Net-Zero Framework for circulation at the MEPC 83 session in April 2025. In October 2025, Greece and Cyprus abstained from a vote to delay adoption of the framework by adjourning the MEPC ES.2 meeting for one year, while Italy and Malta voted against the delay.

At EU level, the four countries agreed to work with the European Commission and other member states in upcoming discussions concerning the EU ETS.

Participants

The Limassol meeting brought together Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis, Greek Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Vasilis Kikilias and Malta’s Sustainable Mobility Minister Chris Bonett. Italian Deputy Infrastructure and Transport Minister Edoardo Rixi took part remotely.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform