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Qatar Repositions Empty LNG Tankers Amid Possible Export Resumption
Qatar sells a lot of natural gas to other countries.
Its gas ships have mostly stopped leaving because one tanker was attacked in late July.
Now, several empty ships are moving back toward Qatar.
This may mean Qatar is preparing to restart exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, fighting involving the United States and Iran has made the waterway risky.
Two ships recently tried to pass through but turned around.
Qatar is still loading some gas onto ships inside the Gulf and sending fuel to Kuwait.
Restarting exports could help countries facing expensive gas, shortages, and power blackouts.
Six empty Qatar-linked LNG carriers are in or approaching the Gulf of Oman, according to Bloomberg-tracked data.
Qatar has largely halted LNG shipments since one of its tankers was attacked in late July.
Fifteen LNG carriers carrying Qatari gas remain idle behind the Strait of Hormuz, while two load at Ras Laffan.
Two empty tankers recently turned back near Hormuz after apparently attempting to transit the waterway.
A Qatari export restart could ease elevated LNG prices and shortages affecting Asian and European buyers.
- Who
- Qatar and QatarEnergy, along with LNG buyers in Asia and Europe, are involved.
- What
- Qatar may be repositioning empty LNG tankers for a possible resumption of exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Where
- The tankers are near the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Strait of Hormuz, with loading continuing at Ras Laffan.
- When
- The developments followed a tanker attack in late July; two ships turned back in recent days.
- Why
- Qatar’s exports have been disrupted, while it maintains limited operations and may be preparing to ramp up shipments if waterway tensions ease.
Key facts
- Empty tankers moving
- Six Qatar-linked empty LNG carriers are in the Gulf of Oman or heading there.
- Idle Qatari carriers
- Fifteen LNG carriers carrying Qatari gas are idle behind the Strait of Hormuz.
- Loading vessels
- Two vessels are currently loading at Qatar’s Ras Laffan export terminal.
- Export disruption
- Qatar has largely halted LNG shipments since one of its tankers was attacked in late July.
- Ongoing operations
- Qatar continues loading available empty tankers inside the Gulf and exporting fuel to Kuwait.
- Market effect
- Reduced Qatari exports have kept LNG prices elevated and prompted buyers to seek replacement supplies.
Sources
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