Athens, January 16, 2026 – Greece is actively collaborating with the United States and Saudi Arabia on a counter-proposal aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from shipping, a development that bypasses established EU coordination on the matter. This initiative is currently under discussion at the London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) and signals a departure from the unified EU stance on global shipping decarbonisation, which remains stalled at the IMO.
Greece and Saudi Arabia Announce Joint Effort
Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou confirmed the collaboration following a meeting in Riyadh with his Saudi counterpart, Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud. Papastavrou stated, “Greece and Saudi Arabia have agreed to cooperate, through their competent ministries – shipping and energy – with a view to submitting a joint proposal on this specific matter.” He further characterised Athens’ position on energy issues in Europe as a “voice of realism.”
Brussels Expresses Concern Over Unilateral Action
This move is anticipated to draw criticism from Brussels, as individual EU member states are typically expected to seek consensus with the other 26 members rather than engaging with third countries on issues falling under the European Commission’s exclusive competence. This marks the second instance where Athens, a significant player in the global shipping industry, has diverged from the bloc’s position. Previously, Greece, alongside Cyprus, abstained from an October vote in London on a global net-zero shipping deal.
The Net-Zero Shipping Framework at the Heart of the Debate
The core of the ongoing discussion is the Net-Zero Shipping Framework (NSF). This framework aims to implement a gradually increasing carbon price on ship operators who continue to use the most polluting and cheapest fuels, proportionate to their excess CO2 emissions. The NSF is designed to promote low-carbon alternatives such as hydrogen and synthetic e-fuels derived from renewable energy, which would benefit countries like Denmark and China that have invested heavily in these technologies.
October’s Diplomatic Row and Postponement
Agreement on the NSF was postponed for a year last October due to opposition from Washington and Riyadh. The US administration reportedly even threatened sanctions if the deal proceeded, as it supports liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transitional fuel. This diplomatic disagreement in October was widely interpreted as another instance of Europe being caught in geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing. Denmark, which opposed the US stance, seemingly faced repercussions, failing to secure re-election to the IMO Council in late November for the first time.
Greece’s Renegotiation and Potential Infringement
Following the tumultuous October meeting, the European Commission indicated to Euractiv its openness to renegotiating the net-zero shipping deal. However, Greece appears to have pursued renegotiation directly with Washington and Riyadh, rather than through Brussels. This unilateral action by Greece could potentially lead to an infringement procedure within the EU.
EU Diplomat Emphasizes Common Position
An EU diplomat underscored that only the EU as a whole can present a unified position at the IMO, and in cases of internal disagreement, the bloc effectively has no official stance. The diplomat explicitly stated, “Member states do not align themselves with third-country camps.”
Athens’ Stance: Not Abandoning EU Goals
Following the publication of this article, a Greek government source informed Euractiv that Athens’ intention is to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to achieve an agreement that benefits both the US and Europe. The source clarified, “We are not abandoning the EU position or the green transition targets – but we need to find a way out of the stalemate.”
