Hormuz LNG Flows Resume as Qatar Tanker Sets Sail for Pakistan

Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments have resumed through the Strait of Hormuz, a significant development after a three-week hiatus. The Al Areesh tanker sailed through the waterway with its transponder on and was heading towards the Gulf of Oman, signaling Pakistan as its next destination.

The resumption of LNG flows is crucial for QatarEnergy to ramp up production at the world's largest LNG plant, which had been placed on hold following the attack. The tanker has been idling in the Persian Gulf since picking up a shipment from the Ras Laffan export facility in early July.

More than a dozen tankers are currently idling near Ras Laffan, indicating they may be preparing to pick up shipments from the Qatari plant. An empty LNG carrier owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.'s shipping arm appeared in the Gulf on Wednesday after traversing Hormuz in the opposite direction.

However, a resumption in strikes by the US and Iran is deepening concerns that LNG flows through Hormuz will remain compromised, leaving the global market tight. The latest developments follow a brief pause in attacks to advance talks to end the months-long conflict.