Ichthys LNG workers start strike

Last week, Japan’s Inpex confirmed that workers on the Ichthys LNG export project will not strike on Wednesday and Thursday as previously planned.

The Offshore Alliance, which includes the Maritime Union of Australia and Australian Workers’ Union, said that this was due to “progress made in bargaining.”

“Whilst significant progress was made last week in FWC (Fair Work Commission) facilitated bargaining with Inpex, they have fallen short on a number of fundamental claims,” the Offshore Alliance said in a social media post on Tuesday.

“Protected industrial action ramps up today on all three Inpex facilities with stoppages of work and work bans,” it said.

As part of the strike action, union members will down tools between 6 a.m and 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., the Offshore Alliance reportedly said in a separate statement.

Offshore Alliance reportedly said it plans to serve another notice outlining industrial action from June 11 to 23.

“Inpex respects the legal right of employees to take protected industrial action as part of the enterprise agreement bargaining process,” Inpex senior vice president corporate, Bill Townsend, said in an emailed statement.

“We are committed to engaging in good faith to reach a fair and equitable agreement with employees,” he said.

“Inpex remains focused on maintaining safe operations at Ichthys LNG – and importantly, ensuring reliable energy supply to our key trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region amid disruption to global energy markets,” Townsend said.

Last year, Ichthys LNG accounted for 8 percent of both Japan and Taiwan’s respective LNG import volumes, delivered via long-term sales and purchase agreements, according to Inpex.

The facility shipped 112 LNG cargoes in 2025. It shipped 43 LNG cargoes in the first four months of this year, up by two shipments compared to the year before.