The European Commission has announced the lifting of sanctions on three tankers operated by Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. This decision came after receiving commitments that these vessels would cease their activities involving Russian-sourced LNG.
The sanctions had been imposed on the tankers North Moon, North Ocean, and North Light, which were transporting cargo from the Yamal LNG facility and conducting ship-to-ship operations near Russia’s northern Murmansk Port. This move was part of the EU’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia due to its actions in Ukraine.
The European Commission stated on its website that it removed the three vessels from the list of sanctioned ships “following firm commitments that these LNG tankers will no longer be involved in the transport of Russian energy from the Russian Yamal and Arctic 2 projects for which they were originally commissioned.”
The statement added, “This action demonstrates the impact of EU vessel designations and that vessels can be returned to service following firm commitments.” The tankers were built last year at South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean shipyard.
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