A ship carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar has passed through the Strait of Hormuz and exited the Persian Gulf, according to confirmations. The resumption of Qatar's LNG exports, which were suspended after a tanker was struck in late July, is being raised as a possibility.
On the 7th (local time), Bloomberg reported that the Al Maruna, which loaded LNG in Qatar in early last month, was sailing in the Gulf of Oman on the morning of the 8th. The vessel, bound for Pakistan's Port Qasim, is scheduled to arrive on the 10th.
In recent weeks, several Qatari carriers without LNG cargo have also been spotted returning to the Persian Gulf. Bloomberg analyzed this as a move suggesting that Qatar may resume LNG exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar halted exports through the Strait of Hormuz after one of its LNG carriers was attacked in late July. Until passage through the strait was blocked by the Iran war in Feb., Qatar accounted for about one-fifth of global LNG export volumes.
Iran said the same day that an agreement with Oman to manage vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was imminent. However, concerns are emerging that the agreement could strengthen Iran's control over the strait and prompt a U.S. response.
Qatar notified European and Asian buyers last month that it would extend the application period of the "force majeure" clause in LNG supply contracts through Oct. With concerns over supply disruptions continuing, LNG prices remain elevated.