Qatar Moves LNG Tankers Through Hormuz for First Time Since War

Two Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers appear to be moving toward the Strait of Hormuz, potentially marking the first exports from the region since the outbreak of war in late February. The vessels, Al Daayen and Rasheeda, loaded LNG from Qatar’s export plant in late February and have been idling in the Persian Gulf as the conflict escalated and Hormuz remained largely closed to shipping.

According to ship-tracking data, the Al Daayen is signaling China, Qatar’s largest LNG buyer, although final destinations remain uncertain and could change at any time. Since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran in late February, no loaded LNG tanker has successfully passed through the strait, effectively disrupting about a fifth of the world’s LNG supply. A tanker without cargo did pass through the strait over the past weekend.

The closure of Hormuz has created significant disruptions for global energy markets. While Qatar has managed limited deliveries to nearby countries such as Kuwait—likely using stored LNG that does not require passage through Hormuz—export capacity has been constrained by the ongoing conflict and attacks on Qatar’s Ras Laffan plant, which has been shut for over a month.

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Al Daayen is managed by Seapeak and Rasheeda is owned by Nakilat, according to ship databases. Neither company responded to requests for comment, and QatarEnergy, which operates Ras Laffan, also did not respond to inquiries. Tracking vessel movements in the Persian Gulf remains challenging due to potential electronic interference and deliberate transponder shutdowns in risky zones.

Iran has largely restricted the strait to its own or approved vessels since the strikes began, with no known Qatar-linked energy ships passing through. Recent days have seen Tehran allow passage to vessels from countries considered close to the US, including France and Japan, suggesting a selective reopening of the waterway.

If successful, the movement of the Al Daayen and Rasheeda through Hormuz could provide a critical lifeline for Qatar, which supplied nearly a fifth of global LNG last year. It may allow Qatar to move pre-loaded LNG already waiting in the Gulf or to offload fuel from storage, offering some relief to global energy markets amid heightened geopolitical tension.

Also Read: Iran Blocks Pakistan-Bound Ship From Hormuz Passage Amid War Tensions