LNG Shipments Through Hormuz Surge to Highest Level Since Iran War

In September 2026, liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments through the Strait of Hormuz surged to their highest level since the start of the United States-Israel war with Iran. Data from S&P Global Energy, reported by Reuters, revealed that 19 LNG cargoes transited the Strait of Hormuz during the month, with 13 originating from Qatar and six from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This marked an increase from 15 cargoes in June, following the implementation of the US-Iran agreement. According to Kpler data, the number of shipments even reached 21 cargoes in September.

The rise in shipments coincided with the re-entry of several LNG vessels linked to QatarEnergy into the route. Ships such as Al Kharaitiyat, Al Gharrafa, and Milaha Qatar resumed operations after previously being absent from tracking systems. Eric Yep, an analyst at S&P Global Energy, noted that LNG traffic began to rise more rapidly in the second half of September, with potential October volumes reaching around 25% of pre-war levels.

Despite the increase, security risks persist. Some ships have reportedly turned off their automatic identification systems (AIS) during transit, complicating monitoring efforts. QatarEnergy continues to face export disruptions, having extended force majeure notices to several customers in Europe and Asia. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global energy trade, and prolonged disruptions could impact LNG supply and prices, particularly for importing countries in Asia and Europe.