Qatar Sustains LNG Shipments Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Security Risks

Qatar has continued to move liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing security concerns tied to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Over the weekend of October 2-3, four LNG vessels carrying Qatari cargoes were tracked outside the strait after transiting the waterway, according to data from Kpler and LSEG.

Three of the 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 India’s Dahej terminal on October 3. The fourth vessel, Al Kharsaah, is managed by Seapeak Maritime, an independent gas carrier operator. All four vessels were last seen inside the strait between September 18-27.

Many ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz operate with their Automatic Identification System transponders turned off to avoid detection, a practice known as "dark transits." Additionally, another LNG vessel, Al Marrouna, also managed by Seapeak Maritime, reappeared inside the strait off Qatar’s coast on October 2 after previously being tracked outside the waterway.

Both QatarEnergy and Seapeak Maritime declined to comment on the situation.