LNG Tanker Damaged in Strait of Hormuz Attack Fuels Explosion Fears

A Qatari tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) was damaged in an attack on the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz, sparking concerns about a potential explosion. The Al Rekayyat tanker reported a fire in its engine room and was at risk of exploding, although there was no indication that its LNG tanks had been breached.

LNG is cooled to around minus 162 degrees Celsius (minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit), turning the gas into a liquid and reducing its volume by around 600 times. Modern LNG carriers have multiple layers of protection to prevent ignition from reaching cargo tanks, but industry experts warn that damage could still lead to catastrophic consequences.

The Al Rekayyat tanker is not the first LNG vessel to be targeted in recent months; in March, a Russian LNG tanker caught fire after being struck by Ukrainian naval drones. Industry sources say that as long as the Al Rekayyat tanker remains undamaged, it is unlikely to explode.