Qatar Boosts LNG Traffic Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Global Shortage

Qatar has increased liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to its highest level in over two months, a sign that it's becoming more comfortable moving ships through the waterway. At least four laden carriers have been sent out through the strait in the last week, with at least two moving in the opposite direction to enter the Gulf.

According to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, one of the shipments arrived at India's west coast on Thursday. The movements mark a significant increase in Qatari LNG tanker activity since early July, when the country largely halted exports through the strait after one of its vessels was attacked.

Despite traffic remaining far below pre-war levels of roughly three LNG shipments a day, any increase could help ease a global gas supply crunch. Prices in Europe and Asia have surged to their highest levels since 2022 over the last few weeks as demand builds in the run-up to winter.