Qatar has successfully exported liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the onset of the military conflict with Iran. This move may indicate a gradual resumption of fuel exports from a region that had been blocked due to tensions in the Persian Gulf.
This is reported by Finway
The Return of Qatari LNG to the Global Market
According to maritime tracking services, the tanker Al Kharaitiyat, loaded at the Ras Laffan export terminal in Qatar in early May, has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and is currently in the Gulf of Oman. The next delivery point is indicated as Pakistan.
According to Bloomberg, the tanker took a northern route along the Iranian coast, which was agreed upon with the Tehran authorities. According to the Equasis registry, the vessel Al Kharaitiyat is owned by the Qatari company Nakilat. Representatives of Nakilat and QatarEnergy have not yet provided official comments regarding the completed voyage.
The Impact of the Strait of Hormuz Blockade on the Gas Market
Since the conflict began, the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been blocked for transit, significantly impacting global liquefied natural gas supplies. This has led to rising LNG prices, and Asian countries have faced fuel shortages for their own needs.
“Since the beginning of the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz has effectively remained blocked, seriously affecting global liquefied natural gas supplies. Against this backdrop, LNG prices have surged, and Asian countries have faced fuel shortages.”
Despite the successful transit of the Al Kharaitiyat, experts emphasize that this does not signify a full return to the export volumes that existed before the war began. Prior to the escalation of military confrontation in the Persian Gulf, about three LNG tankers passed through daily. Previous attempts by Qatar to export gas through the Strait of Hormuz had ended in failure, with vessels forced to turn back. According to Bloomberg, since the conflict began in late February, Qatar has not been able to make any LNG deliveries from the Persian Gulf.