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Japanese shipping group Mitsui OSK assessing EU sanction impact on its LNG vessels

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 21, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Japanese shipping group Mitsui OSK assessing EU sanction impact on its LNG vessels
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TOKYO/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Japan's second-largest shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) said it is carefully assessing the impact on three of its liquefied natural gas vessels of new sanctions

Japanese shipping group Mitsui OSK assessing EU sanction impact on its LNG ve...

TOKYO/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Japan's second-largest shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) said it is carefully assessing the impact on three of its liquefied natural gas vessels of new sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia.

"We will continue to fully cooperate with the relevant authorities, including the European Union and the Japanese government, and remain committed to complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and international rules," said a company spokesperson on Wednesday.

"We will take appropriate measures as necessary, in accordance with our rights and obligations."

On Tuesday, the EU adopted four sets of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, including a 17th package targeting Moscow's shadow fleet. MOL's owned and managed North Moon, North Ocean and North Light LNG vessels were included in the package.

Built in 2024, the three vessels had delivered cargoes from Russia's Yamal LNG project to east Asia this year via a ship-to-ship transfer with the ice breaking vessel Nikolay Urvantsev, showed Kpler data.

North Ocean delivered a cargo from Yamal LNG to Taiwan on April 19, while North Moon and North Light had made prior shipments to Dalian port in northern China and Jieyang port in southern China on March 17 and April 1, respectively.

North Moon and North Light are both currently loaded with cargoes from Yamal LNG enroute to Asia, according to Kpler data.

(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi in Tokyo and Emily Chow in Singapore; Editing by Toby Chopra)

Key Takeaways

  • Mitsui OSK Lines is assessing EU sanctions on its LNG vessels.
  • The sanctions target Russia's shadow fleet amid the Ukraine conflict.
  • MOL's North Moon, North Ocean, and North Light vessels are affected.
  • The vessels have been transporting LNG from Russia's Yamal project.
  • MOL is committed to complying with international regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mitsui OSK Lines assessing?
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is assessing the impact of new EU sanctions on three of its liquefied natural gas vessels.
What measures will Mitsui OSK Lines take?
The company stated it will take appropriate measures as necessary, in accordance with its rights and obligations.
What recent actions did the EU take regarding sanctions?
On Tuesday, the EU adopted four sets of sanctions against Russia, including a 17th package targeting Moscow's shadow fleet.
Where did the LNG vessels deliver cargoes from?
The vessels delivered cargoes from Russia's Yamal LNG project to East Asia this year.
What is the current status of the North Moon and North Light vessels?
North Moon and North Light are currently loaded with cargoes from Yamal LNG enroute to Asia.

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