A global green shipping framework set for adoption by the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has split Europe and drawn in the US and China, with southern states backing LNG and northern countries pushing for stricter climate rules, reports Brussels' Euractiv.

Greece, Italy, Cyprus and Malta support recognising liquefied natural gas as a transitional fuel, while Denmark and the Netherlands favour tighter standards that would exclude LNG from future fuel mixes.

The IMO's Net-Zero Framework, due in October, will penalise ship operators from 2028 for using high-emission fuels. Emissions will be measured across the full life-cycle, including production and transport, reducing LNG's perceived environmental benefit.

If adopted, the framework would prioritise hydrogen and synthetic e-fuels made from renewable electricity, such as wind and solar, over LNG.

The US has condemned the IMO's provisional agreement, calling it a "global carbon tax on Americans" and aligning with southern Europe. China supports the stricter standards, backing low-carbon methane fuels.

Greek shipowners have urged "realistic" decarbonisation pathways. With 1,485 LNG-capable ships in service and nearly 1,000 more on order, southern states argue LNG is a viable short-term solution with established infrastructure.

Beijing has invested heavily in green methanol and ammonia, and stands to benefit from the IMO deal as a future supplier of zero-emission fuels.

Brussels faces a dilemma, having pledged to buy US$750 billion worth of US energy over three years, much of it LNG, under a broader trade agreement.

EU regulations require maritime fuel emissions to fall six per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050.