Member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency, voted last week in favor of creating a global carbon tax for maritime emissions, becoming mandatory for large ocean-going ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which emit 85% of the total CO2 emissions from international shipping. A total of 63 countries supported the measure, including Brazil, while 16 opposed it, 25 abstained, and the United States was notably absent from the vote.
The proposed tax would charge companies either USD 100 or USD 380 per ton of excess CO₂, depending on the case, and is expected to come into effect in 2027. Details are to be finalized by October this year. In addition to environmental benefits, the tax is intended to generate funds for decarbonization initiatives.
This is not the first, and likely won’t be the last, such measure in the maritime industry. Similar national and regional taxes already exist, prompting companies to explore alternatives for compliance and cost reduction.
Coincidentally, or perhaps not, Petrobras published a LinkedIn post this week emphasizing the importance of decarbonization for both the Brazilian market and the world. The national oil company also reiterated some of its commitments, including USD 16.3 billion in investments toward the energy transition.
Global carbon tax
