A QatarEnergy-controlled liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, the Al Areesh, which had reportedly transited the Strait of Hormuz overnight on July 29 en route to Pakistan's Port Qasim, has changed its destination and is now showing a location near Oman. This development comes after an earlier report suggested the US prevented the tanker from continuing its journey to Pakistan because it used an Iranian corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, rather than an American-designated one. However, the US has explicitly denied any involvement in redirecting the vessel.
The Al Areesh, which loaded its cargo at Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal between July 4 and July 6, was the first QatarEnergy-controlled LNG tanker to exit the Strait of Hormuz since the Al Rekayyat was struck in early July. Its passage was closely watched by energy markets given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and recent geopolitical tensions, including a resumption of US and Iranian strikes in the region. Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported LNG from Qatar, had been anticipating the arrival of this shipment to help meet its domestic gas demand.
While the tanker's initial destination was Pakistan with an estimated arrival date of July 31, its current status shows it having U-turned as it approached the Arabian Sea and is now near Oman. The reasons for this change in destination remain unclear, especially in light of the US denial of involvement. More than a dozen other tankers are reportedly idling near Ras Laffan, indicating potential preparations for future shipments, while an empty ADNOC Gas-controlled LNG carrier, the Mraweh, reappeared inside the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after being outside it on July 24.
