Qatar has resumed liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, with the Q-Flex LNG carrier Al Kharaitiyat successfully passing through the strait and entering the Gulf of Oman. This marks the first Qatari LNG tanker to cross the strait since the Iran war began approximately 70 days ago. The vessel, operated by Qatar Energy, is now en route to Pakistan's Port Qasim after loading cargo at Ras Laffan.
The transit provides a measure of relief for Pakistan, which has faced severe power blackouts due to halted gas imports. Sources indicate that Iran approved this transfer to build confidence with Qatar and Pakistan, both of which are mediators in the ongoing war. The Al Kharaitiyat appears to have taken a northern route, close to Iran's coastline, under newly established Iranian-controlled shipping corridors.
While this successful transit represents a breakthrough for Doha, overall export volumes remain significantly below pre-war levels. Before the conflict, Qatar typically dispatched around three LNG cargoes daily through the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for approximately one-fifth of the world's LNG trade. The disruption caused by what shipping executives describe as an effective blockade around the strait has led to a sharp increase in Asian spot LNG prices.
The passage comes after weeks of severe disruption and follows the failure of the US Operation Project Freedom to escort ships through the strait. Iran continues to assert its control, with Iranian authorities stating that vessels from countries adhering to US sanctions would face problems crossing the strait. Iranian lawmakers are also drafting a bill to formalize Iran's management of the strait, potentially including clauses forbidding passage to vessels of "hostile states."
