TOKYO: Japan is considering leaving the International Whaling Commission to resume commercial hunts after unsuccessfully campaigning for decades to gain support for the cause.
The Fisheries Agency said Thursday officials haven’t made a final decision but are considering the step.
Japan’s request for a resumption of commercial whaling was most recently denied at the IWC meeting in September. IWC imposed a ban on commercial whaling in the 1980s due to dwindling stocks.
Japan has switched to what it calls research whaling, and says stocks have recovered enough that commercial hunts should resume.
Japanese whaling officials the whaling organization is supposed to pursue sustainability but has become an anti-whaling body.
Japan cut back on its catch after a 2014 international court ruling.
Japan considers leaving IWC to resume commercial whale hunts
Japan considers leaving IWC to resume commercial whale hunts
- Japan has switched to what it calls research whaling, and says stocks have recovered enough that commercial hunts should resume
- Japan cut back on its catch after a 2014 international court ruling
QatarEnergy and Malaysia’s Petronas sign 20-year LNG supply agreement
RIYADH: QatarEnergy has entered into a 20-year sales and purchase agreement with Malaysia’s Petronas for the supply of liquefied natural gas, the companies have announced.
Under the deal, QatarEnergy will supply 2 million tonnes per annum of LNG to Petronas, starting in 2028.
The SPA was signed in Doha at a ceremony held alongside the 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas “LNG2026.”
This marks the first long-term LNG SPA between the two state-owned energy corporations.
The agreement underscores Qatar’s expanding role as one of the world’s leading LNG suppliers, as the country advances major production growth projects aimed at increasing its export capacity later this decade.
According to the press release, the deal “reflects the continued confidence and trust between the two organizations and underscores their shared vision for a sustainable energy future and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation.”
The signatories were Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the minister of state for energy affairs as well as president and CEO of QatarEnergy, and YM Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Kamadjaja Aziz, the president and group CEO of Petronas.
Al-Kaabi stated: “QatarEnergy is pleased to enter into this new LNG SPA with Petronas, which highlights our continued commitment to support the growing energy needs of Malaysia as well as our customers across the globe.”
QatarEnergy stated the agreement reflects its ongoing dedication to strengthening global partnerships, promoting cleaner energy solutions, and supporting the economic development goals of key markets worldwide.
On Feb. 3, QatarEnergy signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and JERA, the country’s largest power generation company, for supplying Japan with additional liquefied natural gas quantities during emergency situations.
The MoU, signed on the sidelines of the same conference in Doha, stipulates QatarEnergy’s response in the event of unforeseen emergencies that could affect Japan, such as natural disasters. The agreement also includes mechanisms for bilateral consultation on appropriate response measures in such situations.
The MoU also underlines QatarEnergy’s role in ensuring energy security to all its customers through access to supplemental LNG volumes during emergencies and supply disruptions, it said in a press release. It also emphasizes Qatar’s ability to provide stable LNG supplies as well as its well established reputation as a reliable and trustworthy energy provider.
