The shipping industry is the main mode of global cargo transportation. The contribution to the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions will further increase with the rapid development of social economy. In order to limit the emissions of the greenhouse gas, the international maritime organization (IMO) has formulated the “IMO Initial Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships”(abbreviated as “Initial IMO Strategy”) and the goal, and established a list of short-term, medium-term and long-term carbon reduction measures. The contents of the “Initial IMO Strategy” are analyzed. With the goal of reducing CO ₂ emissions per transport work of international shipping by at least 40% by 2030. The major direct efforts for carbon reduction in the short-term measures of the “Initial IMO Strategy” are analyzed, which can provide references for China's shipping industry to adapt to the emission reduction goal of the “Initial IMO Strategy”.