LNG Tankers Find Creative Solution to Hormuz Tensions with Ship-to-Ship Transfer

LNG tankers are finding creative ways to keep fuel moving through the Strait of Hormuz despite tensions in the region. According to satellite images, two liquefied natural gas tankers were seen conducting a ship-to-ship transfer outside the strait on Saturday.

The LNG Enugu was docked near Sohar on the Gulf of Oman and anchored parallel to another vessel, the Mraweh, which is owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. This maneuver suggests that the two vessels may be transferring a cargo of LNG.

Ship-tracking data shows that the Mraweh was last seen inside the Persian Gulf near the western entrance of Hormuz on July 29, and made an inbound voyage to the Gulf without transmitting a signal during its crossing of the strait in early August.

The transfer is a significant development as it would be the first known instance of LNG from inside the Persian Gulf being moved to a different vessel outside Hormuz. Analysts say that this type of ship-to-ship transfer allows shuttle vessels to move cargoes from Das Island and reduce exposure for other LNG carriers.