QatarEnergy Extends Force Majeure on LNG Deliveries Amid Strait of Hormuz Uncertainty

QatarEnergy has extended its force majeure declaration on liquefied natural gas deliveries by another month, citing ongoing uncertainty over when the Strait of Hormuz will fully reopen to commercial tanker traffic.

The extension affects buyers across Europe and Asia, with potential delivery timelines now stretching into mid-September or even October 2026. The move is a result of the continued disruption to maritime trade in the region, which has been plagued by Iranian attacks since early March 2026.

The initial damage occurred when an Iranian missile strike hit Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG complex, knocking out approximately 12.8 million tons per annum of processing capacity, a 17% hit to Qatar's total output. Since then, the broader conflict has kept the Strait of Hormuz in a state of persistent disruption.

The latest extension impacts long-term contract holders in South Korea, India, Bangladesh, and Italy, with Italy's Edison seeing 24 cargoes affected, equivalent to roughly 3 billion cubic meters of natural gas. QatarEnergy itself is estimated to be losing around $20 billion annually due to the disruptions.