NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas may abstain from voting on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net Zero Framework (NZF), according to Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell.
While addressing the issue briefly on Tuesday Mitchell told reporters: “The Bahamas had some time ago written to the IMO to ask for the vote to be postponed, and if the vote is not postponed, we expect to abstain,” Minister Mitchell said.
The upcoming vote has sparked concern after the United States issued a warning to countries planning to adopt the NZF. In a statement released by the US Department of State, the Trump administration outlined five initial measures it could take against nations voting in favor of the framework, which it claims “unduly or unfairly burdens the United States” and its citizens.
The IMO, a specialized United Nations agency, oversees the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. The Bahamas is a key member and maintains one of the world’s largest ship registries.
The NZF aims to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions from the international shipping sector. The US government, maintaining its stance that climate change policies are economically burdensome, has warned that an overwhelming vote for the NZF would amount to the first UN-sanctioned global carbon tax on maritime operations.
“The administration unequivocally rejects this proposal before the IMO and will not tolerate any action that increases costs for our citizens, energy providers, shipping companies and their customers, or tourists,” the statement said. “The economic impacts from this measure could be disastrous, with some estimates forecasting global shipping costs increasing as much as 10 percent or more.”
The US indicated it may pursue a range of sanctions against countries that support the NZF, including blocking vessels from US ports, imposing visa restrictions on maritime crews, levying commercial penalties related to US government contracts, and evaluating sanctions on officials advocating for climate policies.
Countries with large ship registries, like The Bahamas, could face added pressure from measures such as increased port fees. The Bahamas’ registry includes shipping vessels and cruise ships, many of which are transitioning to cleaner fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The vote on the NZF is expected to take place later this month. The Bahamas has historically supported global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change risks, while also advancing LNG and solar energy initiatives domestically.
