Qatar Resumes LNG Shipments via Strait of Hormuz to Pakistan

The LNG tanker Al Areesh exited the Strait of Hormuz on July 29, marking the first QatarEnergy-controlled departure from the waterway since July 11. The vessel loaded cargo at the Ras Laffan terminal between July 4 and 6 and is headed to Port Qasim, Pakistan, with an expected arrival on July 31. This resumption of flows follows a pause in deliveries triggered by a July 7 strike on the gas carrier Al Rekayyat.

QatarEnergy secured the transit through negotiations between the Government of Pakistan and Iran. To maintain supplies to Asian customers during the disruption—which saw Iran close the strait and block 20% of global oil and gas supplies—the company purchased 33 spot LNG cargoes from US producer Venture Global LNG and other customers for approximately $1 billion. As of July 30, 28 of these cargoes have been delivered to South Korea, Taiwan, Bangladesh, India, and Japan.

Regional instability persists as the United States and Iran resume military strikes. Iran fired ballistic missiles at a U.S. base in Jordan on Tuesday, leading to a new wave of U.S. strikes on Thursday. Meanwhile, crude loadings from Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port dropped by at least 30% last week following a blockade declared by the Houthis, though some exports may continue via dark tankers. Other maritime activity includes the ADNOC Gas-controlled tanker Mraweh reappearing in the strait in ballast on July 30.