Two Qatari LNG Vessels Turn Back, Strait of Hormuz Passage Remains Blocked

On April 6, it was reported that two tankers carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar appear to have abandoned their attempts to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz out of the Persian Gulf. According to vessel tracking data, the ‘Al Daayen’ and ‘Rasheeda’ had sailed east towards waters near Oman after loading LNG at a Qatari export facility in late February, but subsequently turned back. Since late February, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, no LNG-laden tankers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Kpler’s vessel data, Qatar has delivered two shipments of LNG to Kuwait in recent weeks. These supplies likely came from Qatar’s storage tanks, thus avoiding the need to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. There is uncertainty in vessel tracking around the Persian Gulf due to the potential for electronic interference or active transponder shutdowns for ships navigating in high-risk areas.