Qatar has reportedly instructed liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels operating near its key export facilities to switch off their tracking transponders amid escalating security concerns in the Persian Gulf. The move comes as tensions across the Middle East continue into a third month, affecting global shipping routes and energy supply chains. According to reports, ships operating around Ras Laffan port — Qatar’s primary LNG export hub — were asked to disable their Automatic Identification System (AIS), a standard maritime tracking technology used to monitor vessel movements and prevent collisions at sea.

People familiar with the matter said the directive applies to vessels within Ras Laffan port, nearby anchorages, and surrounding port waters. The measure is reportedly being implemented as a precautionary safety step due to rising risks in the region. Qatar’s state-owned energy company QatarEnergy had not officially commented on the development at the time of reporting. Maritime tracking data compiled by Bloomberg showed that at least nine LNG carriers near Qatar stopped transmitting their locations beginning May 11, an unusual occurrence in the LNG shipping industry where continuous tracking is generally considered mandatory for navigational safety.

The development reflects broader concerns among energy exporters operating in the Persian Gulf as geopolitical tensions intensify around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints. The waterway normally handles nearly one-fifth of global LNG trade and a substantial share of global oil shipments. Shipping operators in the region have increasingly begun masking vessel locations amid fears of attacks, seizures, or military escalation linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and regional allies.

Also Read: Nuclear Breakthrough? Trump Claims Iran Has Agreed to Total Ban on Nuclear Weapons

Reports earlier this month indicated that at least two tankers loading cargo from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s Das Island facility had also disabled tracking systems while moving through the Strait of Hormuz. The region has witnessed multiple security incidents in recent weeks, including drone attacks targeting commercial vessels. Qatar’s defence ministry recently confirmed that a cargo ship operating in Qatari waters had been struck by a drone, causing a small onboard fire but no major casualties. Previous attacks have also reportedly affected infrastructure linked to Qatar’s LNG export operations.

The continuing instability has severely disrupted energy exports from the Gulf region, especially from Qatar, which remains one of the world’s largest LNG exporters. Analysts say the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz has significantly reduced LNG flows, forcing import-dependent countries to closely monitor developments. One LNG shipment from Qatar reportedly managed to cross the strait during the weekend following diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and Iran to facilitate safe passage for vessels carrying energy cargo.

Another vessel, identified as Mihzem, was reportedly headed toward Pakistan with a Qatari LNG shipment before appearing to reverse course near the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship-tracking data. The tanker later stopped transmitting its location, leaving uncertainty about whether it continued its journey through the region. Energy market observers believe the increasing use of “going dark” tactics by commercial tankers signals growing concern over maritime security risks and highlights the fragile state of global energy logistics as tensions in West Asia continue without a clear resolution.

Also Read: Two US Destroyers Evade Iran's Sustained Missile Barrage in Hormuz Strait