Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (Adnoc) is actively continuing to load liquefied natural gas (LNG) onto tankers in the Persian Gulf. This is occurring despite some vessels masking their locations as the energy producer aims to increase fuel shipments through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Satellite images taken by Copernicus Sentinel-2 on Friday showed an LNG tanker docked at Adnoc's Das Island export terminal, even though no tankers were broadcasting their positions near the plant according to ship-data.
This activity comes as major LNG exporters in the Persian Gulf are adapting to potential prolonged disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that handles approximately a quarter of global seaborne oil trade and a fifth of liquefied natural gas supply. Exporters are increasingly employing "shadow fleet" tactics, where vessels deliberately go dark to move cargoes out of the region. This strategy has been observed since at least April, with some ships making shuttle runs while their transponders are off.
The UAE has previously utilized similar covert tactics to export oil during the Iran conflict. By June, almost half of Emirati crude shipments were reportedly sailing on vessels controlled by Sinokor, a shipping company. These Sinokor vessels, at least 10 of which were engaged in shuttle runs, transported an average of 68,000 barrels of supplies per day from UAE's Persian Gulf ports since April, with figures accelerating to 1.4 million barrels per day in June. The strategy involved vessels traveling "dark" before offloading cargo to other tankers outside the waterway and then returning for more, allowing the UAE to approach its pre-war export rates.
The ongoing tensions, including Iran's near-complete blocking of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy infrastructure, have significantly impacted global oil and gas markets. Prices for both commodities have surged since the U.S. and Israel began strikes on Iran in late February. Qatar, another major LNG exporter in the region, has also seen its loaded LNG tankers move towards the Strait of Hormuz, though no loaded shipments had exited the Gulf since the conflict began before April. The adoption of these "dark fleet" tactics signifies exporters' determination to maintain supply chains despite the geopolitical challenges.
