Qatari-linked LNG carriers appear to be resuming movement through the Strait of Hormuz, following the transit of the first laden QatarEnergy vessel since the conflict in the Middle East began
Data from Kpler shows that QatarEnergy-operated, 2009-built Al Kharaitiyat is currently sailing in the Arabian Sea and is expected to deliver its cargo to Pakistan’s Port Qasim on 11 May.
It marks the first laden QatarEnergy-operated vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz since 28 February. It is also the fourth LNG carrier – and the third laden vessel – to cross the strait since that date, following two ADNOC-linked vessels over the past two weeks and an Oman-linked unit in early April.
Kpler noted that Al Kharaitiyat transited the crossing with its AIS transponder switched off between 9-10 May for safety reasons, “highlighting the security risks that continue to make passage through the waterway hazardous for commercial shipping.”
According to Kpler, the vessel was one of 13 laden QatarEnergy LNG carriers stranded in the Middle East Gulf. The same source indicated that a few more laden QatarEnergy vessels are expected to follow a similar route toward Pakistan.
Two vessels are currently signalling discharge at Port Qasim: Mihzem and Fuwairit.
Bloomberg also reported on 11 May that Mihzem, which loaded a cargo from Ras Laffan in late February, appears to have entered an area in the strait that Tehran claims falls under its control.
ICIS senior LNG analyst Alex Froley said in a social media post that the vessel was observed heading east toward the Strait, signalling Pakistan for 12 May.
Kpler added that Fuwairit last updated its discharge signal for Pakistan on 3 May, with an expected discharge date of 8 May, which has now lapsed. The vessel is currently idling near Ras Laffan.
Pakistan’s mediating role
Reuters reported that Al Kharaitiyat’s cargo is being sold by Qatar to Pakistan under a government-to-government arrangement, with Islamabad acting as a mediator in the conflict. The report also suggested that Iran approved the shipment as a confidence-building measure between Qatar and Pakistan.
Pakistan is reportedly in discussions with Iran to allow a limited number of LNG carriers to transit the Strait, as the country faces an urgent need to address its gas shortage.
Analysts, however, view the shipments as a positive development but not as a sign of a broader normalisation of global LNG trade flows.
“Allowing Qatar to export a handful of cargoes to Pakistan isn’t likely enough for the country to be able to restart its liquefaction facilities,” said Mr Froley.
“Qatar wouldn’t want to switch its production back on only to have to shut it down again shortly after. It needs assurance that regular exports can continue,” he added.
“And if cargoes are only allowed through to Pakistan, this wouldn’t significantly add supply for other key buyers in Europe and Asia,” the analyst concluded.
