Qatar-linked LNG traffic thru Hormuz picks up

According to Business Recorder, more LNG carriers linked to QatarEnergy have been seen crossing the Strait of Hormuz over the past week, both loaded and running empty, despite the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. Kpler figures showed that August passed without any visible crossings by Qatar-linked gas carriers, including ships loaded at Ras Laffan, as Iran's efforts to restrict movement through the waterway raised attack concerns. Some vessels may have slipped past unnoticed if their tracking transponders were switched off, yet visible movements have picked up this month.

The most recent vessel to reappear beyond the strait is GasLog Skagen, which was spotted near Sri Lanka on September 27 carrying cargo from Ras Laffan, according to LSEG and Kpler data. The ship, run by GasLog LNG Services of Greece, had been operating inside the Gulf since the conflict began, moving Qatari gas to the UAE and Kuwait before its last sighting there on September 20. Al Shamal, a Seapeak Maritime vessel with a Qatar-origin cargo, resurfaced beyond Hormuz close to September 24-25 and is currently near southern India.

Shandong Redwood, operated by Shandong Marine Energy, reached Pakistan with its load on September 23 after crossing the strait on September 19. Al Mafyar, running empty, moved back inside the strait on September 22. QatarEnergy and three ship managers did not immediately answer requests for comment.