The IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response has recently reached an agreement on the draft 2025 Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships. The plan is now awaiting approval by the Marine Environment Protection Committee in April 2025.

During the 12th session of the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response, held at IMO Headquarters in London in January 2025, the draft of the 2025 Action Plan was finalized. This draft builds upon the initial Action Plan approved in 2018, taking into account the progress made since its inception.

The primary outcomes targeted by the actions outlined in the 2025 Action Plan are set to be achieved by 2030. These outcomes include:

• Reduction of the contribution from fishing vessels to marine plastic litter
• Reduction of shipping’s contribution to marine plastic litter
• Enhanced public awareness, education, and seafarer training
• Improvement of the effectiveness of port reception facilities and treatment in reducing marine plastic litter
• Improved understanding of the contribution of ships to marine plastic litter
• Strengthened international cooperation

The actions specified in the draft 2025 Action Plan have been categorized based on their expected completion timeframes, including short, mid, long-term, and continuous actions.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee is scheduled to review and potentially adopt the draft document at the upcoming session (MEPC 83) slated for 7 to 11 April 2025.