Qatari LNG Vessels Resume Strait of Hormuz Transits Despite Regional Tensions

Despite ongoing security risks in the region linked to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels have resumed transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Over the weekend of October 2-3, 2026, four LNG ships carrying Qatari cargoes reappeared outside the strait after passing through it, according to data from Kpler and LSEG.

Three of these vessels, the Bu Samra, Al Gattara, and Al Sadd, are linked to QatarEnergy. The Al Gattara is currently heading to Zhejiang, China, while the 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 operator of gas carriers. All four ships were last tracked inside the strait between September 18 and 27.

Many vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz make “dark transits” by disabling their Automatic Identification System transponders to avoid detection. Meanwhile, 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.