Japanese shipping giants’ $3 billion LNG carrier deal faces scrutiny amid human rights and climate concerns 

April 9, 2025 (SEOUL) – A coalition of 74 civil society organizations (CSOs) today issued letters urging Japanese shipping companies and Korean shipbuilders to withdraw from TotalEnergies' controversial Mozambique liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, citing links to severe human rights violations and civilian deaths. With Letters of Intent (LOI) for 17 LNG carriers set to expire at the end of April, these companies face a crucial decision. 

The Mozambique LNG (Area 1) project has been plagued by violence and instability. Since October 2024, Mozambique has seen ongoing civic unrest, with at least 348 verified civilian deaths as of February 2025, according to a report by Centro para Democracia e Direitos Humanos (CDD). Journalistic investigations have revealed allegations of grave human rights violations by public security forces linked to the project. In response, the Dutch government has called for an independent investigation, and UK Export Finance (UKEF) is reportedly seeking legal advice on a potential withdrawal. Additionally, a French prosecutor has launched a manslaughter investigation into TotalEnergies’ conduct during the 2021 insurgent attack on Palma town. 

The CSO letters target major Japanese shipping giants Mitsui OSK Lines (planning to operate 5 vessels), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (4 vessels), and K-Line (4 vessels), along with Greek Shipowner Maran Gas Maritime (4 vessels). They also target Korean shipbuilders Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, which will be constructing the vessels valued at over $3 billion. 

Image 1: Recipients including major Japanese shipping companies 

Japanese shipping companies play a dominant role in the global LNG industry, controlling a significant share of the world’s LNG carrier fleet. Industry analysts describe Japan’s involvement across the LNG value chain—from production to transport—as the foundation of a “global gas empire.” Mitsui OSK Lines, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, and K-Line collectively own and operate 141 LNG carriers globally, representing approximately 13% of the world fleet, according to Clarkson. This secures Japan’s position as the second-largest LNG shipowner after Greece.  

The CSOs are calling on both Japanese shipping companies and Korean shipbuilding companies to suspend the LOI extension for the Mozambique LNG carriers. 

"This expiring LOI creates a critical moment when companies must choose whether to continue enabling a project linked to documented human rights violations," said Rachel Eunbi Shin, Shipbuilding Lead from Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC). "With their dominant position controlling a significant portion of the global LNG fleet, Japanese companies’ decisions will face particular scrutiny." 
 

Beyond the humanitarian crisis, the CSOs highlight significant climate implications of the project. According to SFOC, the 17 proposed vessels would enable the release of approximately 6,288 million metric tonnes of CO₂e annually. The global LNG shipping fleet emits an estimated 12.7 billion metric tonnes of CO₂e annually—equivalent to China's total emission—with Japanese companies responsible for a substantial share. Each new LNG vessel represents a 30-year fossil fuel infrastructure commitment, locking in emissions and undermining international climate targets. 

Image 2: GHG Emissions Comparison: China 2023 vs LNG Carriers (Source: SFOC) 

"Japanese ship owners enable build-out of new LNG carriers at a time when we all face the climate crisis and need to phase out fossil fuel including LNG,” said Ayumi Fukakusa, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth Japan. “Particularly in the Mozambique LNG project, these shipping companies cannot be ignorant of the serious human rights violations. Japanese shipping companies must let the LOI expire—otherwise, they will likely face reputational and financial risks." 

“Japanese shipping giants cannot turn a blind eye to this project's harm in Mozambique," said Daniel Ribeiro of Justiça Ambiental. "Beyond its alleged links to violence against civilians, it threatens a pristine marine environment that communities depend on for basic needs. With thousands of LNG carrier movements planned over the project's lifetime, just the noise pollution alone in the underwater soundscape could cause devastating injury to marine biodiversity—but there's no assessment of the full extent of the damage." 

🔗CSO Letter to Shipping Companies and Shipbuilders

ENDS.  

Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) is an independent nonprofit organization that works to accelerate global greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy transition. SFOC leverages research, litigation, community organizing, and strategic communications to deliver practical climate solutions and build movements for change.     

For media inquiries, please reach out to Yi Hyun Kim, Communications Officer, yihyun.kim@forourclimate.org.