US Turns Up Pressure on Caribbean Ahead of Global Shipping Vote

The US just put the region on notice. As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prepares to vote on a Net-Zero Shipping Framework (NZF) this month, Washington is warning Caribbean nations: don’t back this climate-driven proposal — or else.

Under the NZF plan, large ships would need to shift to cleaner fuels, a global fuel standard introduced, and carbon pricing and credits system set up for vessels over 5,000 tons. It’s meant to curb ocean emissions and push toward net zero by 2050. But the cost? Fuel that could run three to four times higher than what ships use now.

The U.S. says passing this will raise global shipping costs at least 10%, labeling it as a “global carbon tax.” More than that, U.S. officials warn that countries supporting the NZF could face severe penalties — from extra port fees and visa restrictions to blocked vessels from U.S. ports or even sanctions against foreign officials.

The irony stings. Many Caribbean islands depend heavily on U.S. cruise traffic and trade routes. Voting “yes” means risking retaliation that could hit economies already fragile. A joint statement from U.S. Secretaries Rubio, Wright, and Duffy called the NZF a “European-led neocolonial export of climate rules,” making it personal and political.

Ten CARICOM members can vote at the IMO meeting now underway until October 17. But with this kind of pressure, the region’s sea lanes have become a chessboard — and the stakes are higher than ever.