- MOL LNG Vessels Removed from EU Blacklist After Lobbying.
- North Moon, North Ocean, North Light Delisted by EU.
- EU Reverses Sanctions on MOL LNG Ships Linked to Yamal Project.
In a surprising turn of events, the European Union has decided to remove three Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) LNG carriers from its sanctions list. This decision is part of the EU’s 18th round of economic sanctions against Russia, which also includes measures targeting 105 additional vessels linked to the shadow fleet, reports gCaptain.
Background: Unexpected Inclusion in 17th Sanctions Package
The newly built LNG carriers, North Moon, North Ocean, and North Light, which are under MOL’s control, were added to the EU’s sanctions list just two months ago in the 17th package. Their inclusion caught many off guard and was seen as a significant step in tightening sanctions targeting Russia’s liquefied natural gas industry.
These ships, which began operating only a few months ago, were originally intended to transport products for Novatek’s Yamal LNG project. There was also speculation about their possible use for shipments from the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project.
MOL’s Response and Lobbying Efforts
Following the vessels’ sanctioning, MOL, Japan’s second-largest shipping company, expressed disappointment and sought a resolution through diplomatic channels. “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,” a company statement said at the time.
“We are not at all happy about this, so we are now lobbying the EU through various channels, including the Japanese government,” Chief Executive Officer Takeshi Hashimoto said in an interview at the end of May 2025.
EU Confirms Sanctions Reversal
These efforts appear to have paid off. The EU’s 18th sanctions package now confirms that the three LNG carriers have been removed from the sanctioned vessels list.
“Three LNG tankers have been delisted following firm commitments that these vessels will no longer engage in the transport of Russian energy to the Russian Yamal and Arctic 2 projects,” a European Commission press release reads. This marks the first known reversal of sanctions targeting the Russian LNG sector within the EU’s broader energy crackdown.
Vessels’ Status Since Sanctioning
Since their sanctioning earlier this year, North Moon, North Ocean, and North Light have seen little operational activity. “I think those vessels will be unusable for some time to come,” Hashimoto said in May. “But, to be honest, they have been saying for a long time that the Yamal project is not subject to sanctions, and suddenly these ships are subject to sanctions.”
Back in May 2025, North Ocean was making its way to the Arctic but changed its course while passing the Canary Islands, ultimately heading back to Asia. Since mid-June, it has been sitting idle off the coast of Singapore, and earlier this week, North Light joined it.
Built for Arctic Adventures
These three vessels were designed with a medium Arc4 ice-class, allowing them to navigate safely through the icy waters of the Arctic along the Northern Sea Route. This special design enables them to operate during the early spring and late fall when ice conditions typically keep regular LNG carriers from making the trip.
No Word on Negotiations
Over the weekend, neither the European Union nor MOL replied to requests for comments, and there’s been no information released about the negotiations that resulted in the vessels being delisted.
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Source: gCaptain
