Qatar Prepares LNG Carriers for Possible Return to Exports through Hormuz

Qatar has been positioning LNG carriers for a possible return to exports through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Bloomberg-compiled ship-tracking data. Six empty Qatari-linked LNG carriers have either entered the Gulf of Oman or are sailing towards the waterway. Additionally, Kpler data shows another empty carrier that recently crossed Hormuz and is now in the Persian Gulf, heading towards Qatar.

This movement comes after Qatar almost completely halted shipments following an attack on one of its tankers in late July. The country's oil exports have followed a different trajectory, rising significantly over roughly the past month. However, regional tensions remain high due to fighting between the US and Iran, as well as Tehran's declaration of a restricted zone outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the disruption, QatarEnergy has continued loading LNG onto empty vessels available inside the Gulf. It has also supplied fuel to Kuwait, helping the company manage its storage levels and keep sections of its huge export complex operating at reduced capacity.