EU Targets Three MOL Gas Carriers Linked to Russia's Yamal LNG Operations

In a surprising twist, the European Union has ramped up its sanctions against Russia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. The latest round of restrictions, announced yesterday as part of the EU’s 17th sanctions package, targets three newly built LNG carriers operated by Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. (MOL), which are linked to Russian energy initiatives.The vessels—North Light, North Moon, and North Ocean—were recently put into service and have been transporting cargo for Novatek’s Yamal LNG project. Interestingly, a fourth ship from this series, North Valley, seems to have dodged these sanctions for now since it hasn’t yet transported any Russian gas; it’s currently making its way from South Korea to the Arctic region of Russia.

These new EU measures will hit Novatek hard. The company had just begun utilizing these North-series ships for ship-to-ship transfers at Kildin anchorage near Murmansk to facilitate Yamal cargo deliveries. These vessels are specially designed with an Arc4 ice-class rating that allows them to navigate icy waters during early summer and winter when Ob Bay and the Kara Sea are frozen over.

The need for STS transfers arose after a ban on transshipment in EU ports took effect on March 26, 2025. With these fresh sanctions in place starting May 21, Novatek’s ability to export LNG from Yamal to far-off markets like China is set to become even more challenging.

Recently delivered cargoes included shipments sent directly to China via these three vessels; notably, North Light received LNG through an STS operation near Murmansk on May 16. It remains uncertain whether there will be any grace period under the new sanctions that would allow deliveries already en route before they take effect. Mitsui OSK Lines has not responded regarding whether they plan to divest themselves of these three ships anytime soon—a critically important investment totaling around $1 billion across all four North-series vessels constructed by Hanwha Ocean.

This marks a notable moment as EU sanctions against LNG carriers outpace similar U.S. actions for the first time. The EU justified its decision by stating that these ships “operate in ways that support or contribute” to Russia’s energy sector expansion efforts.

With both U.S. and EU measures combined, at least fifteen LNG tankers tied up with Russian energy operations have now faced restrictions—many remain idle in the Barents sea without legitimate cargoes available for loading.

Adding insult to injury for those involved in this trade is that alongside this latest trio of sanctioned vessels are four others—the North Sky, North Air, North Mountain, and North Way—that were previously sanctioned back in December 2024 but have since been rebranded as Iris, Buran, Voskhod, and Zarya respectively after changing thier registration from Panama back to Russia—a move likely aimed at preparing them as part of a ‘shadow fleet’ intended for loading sanctioned Arctic LNG later this summer.

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