Qatar's LNG Vessels Reappear in Strait of Hormuz Amid Security Concerns

According to data from S&P Global Energy. 19 LNG cargoes passed through the Strait of Hormuz in September. With 13 of those originating from Qatar and six from the United Arab Emirates. This marked a notable increase from the 15 recorded in June.

With Kpler's data showing a total of 21 LNG cargoes exiting the Strait in September.

Three LNG vessels carrying cargoes from Qatar's Ras Laffan export terminal reappeared outside the waterway this week. According to Kpler and LSEG ship-tracking data. Two of the vessels, Al Kharaitiyat and Al Gharrafa, were linked to QatarEnergy and were last seen inside the strait around September 22-23 before reappearing off India's west coast around September 29-30.

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Eric Yep, a senior principal analyst at S&P Global Energy, noted that LNG transits through the Strait of Hormuz accelerated in the second half of September, and if this trend continues, it could lead to full-month transits recovering to 25% of pre-war levels.

Recent tracking data revealed a surge in QatarEnergy-linked LNG vessels moving through the strait in recent weeks, despite the ongoing conflict. The question now is whether this increased traffic can be sustained through the winter.

For LNG shipments, the key concern is whether the Strait of Hormuz can accommodate increased exports through the winter, Yep said. He noted that this would depend on whether Iran would resort to more serious military escalation if higher exports were perceived as a loss of leverage in its control of the strait.

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Experts are closely monitoring the situation, as the stability of the region and the Strait of Hormuz remain a pressing concern for the global energy market.

As the winter months approach, the international community is watching with interest to see how the situation unfolds and whether the increased shipping through the Strait of Hormuz can be sustained.

Meanwhile, the US and its allies are working to ensure the stability of the region and the Strait of Hormuz, with a focus on maintaining open and secure shipping lanes.