“We confirm Inpex received notification of protected industrial action today,” an Inpex spokesperson told LNG Prime on Monday.
The spokesperson said that the company continues to “actively engage in good faith in the interest-based bargaining process facilitated by the Fair Work Commission, with negotiations planned to continue from May 25, 2026.”
“Inpex remains focused on maintaining safe operations at Ichthys LNG, reaching a fair and equitable agreement with employees – and importantly, ensuring reliable energy supply to our key trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region amid disruption to global energy markets,” the spokesperson added.
Inpex did not provide further details regarding the strike.
The Offshore Alliance, which includes the Maritime Union of Australia and Australian Workers’ Union, reportedly said in a separate announcement that it has served the notice with intent to strike at any point from May 27 to June 10.
However, the Alliance reportedly said it would continue to bargain with Inpex at meetings scheduled for May 25 and 26.
Inpex told LNG Prime on April 17 that the majority of Ichthys workers had voted against a new employment agreement.
Launched in October 2025, the process has involved extensive engagement from Inpex employees, bargaining representatives, and unions.
The company said that the proposed enterprise agreement offer was “fair and competitive” and it “maintains alignment of our employment conditions with the external market and meets or exceeds peer conditions in several areas.”
Ichthys LNG
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.
It currently features two trains, but Inpex previously announced plans to build the third liquefaction train.
Ichthys LNG is a joint venture between operator Inpex and major partner TotalEnergies.
In 2024, Inpex also purchased a small stake in Ichthys LNG from compatriot Tokyo Gas to boost its stake from 66.245 percent to 67.82 percent.
Besides TotalEnergies, other partners in the Ichthys project include Australian units of CPC, Osaka Gas, Kansai Electric Power, Jera, and Toho Gas.
Natural gas arrives to the LNG plant at Bladin Point, near Darwin, from the giant Ichthys field offshore Western Australia via an 890-kilometer-long export pipeline.
