Qatar LNG vessels resume transits through Strait of Hormuz amid risks

Despite ongoing security risks in the region, Qatar LNG vessels have resumed transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Over the weekend, more liquefied natural gas cargoes loaded from Ras Laffan were spotted outside the strait, marking an increase in Qatar's LNG traffic amidst the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

According to Kpler and LSEG ship-tracking data, four LNG vessels carrying Qatari cargoes reappeared outside the Strait of Hormuz around October 2-3. Three of these vessels, Bu Samra, Al Gattara, and Al Sadd, are linked to QatarEnergy. Al Gattara is currently heading to Zhejiang, China, while Al Sadd delivered its cargo to the Dahej terminal in India on October 3.

The fourth vessel, Al Kharsaah, is managed by Seapeak Maritime, an independent operator of gas carriers. All four vessels were last seen inside the strait between September 18 and 27. Many vessels passing through the strait make "dark transits" by turning off their Automatic Identification System transponders to avoid detection.

Additionally, another LNG vessel, Al Marrouna, also managed by Seapeak Maritime, reappeared in ballast inside the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qatar on October 2 after previously being tracked outside the waterway. Neither QatarEnergy nor Seapeak Maritime responded to requests for comment.