LNG Exports: Hormuz Tanker Traffic Reaches Highest Level Since US-Iran Conflict Began

SINGAPORE: The number of loaded liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers exiting the Strait of Hormuz reached its highest monthly level in October since the US-Iran conflict disrupted shipping earlier this year, according to vessel-tracking data.

A total of 31 LNG tankers passed through the strategic waterway last month, including 23 vessels loaded at Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility and eight from Das Island in the United Arab Emirates, data from S&P Global Energy showed.

October’s total marked an increase from 23 vessels in September and represented the highest monthly tally since the conflict began in February.

“We are looking at UAE back to pre-war transit levels and Qatar at over 30% of pre-war Hormuz transits,” said Eric Yep, a senior principal analyst at S&P Global Energy.

Separate ship-tracking data from Kpler showed that 42 LNG cargoes were loaded in October, compared with 27 in September.

Loadings at Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility reached 35 cargoes during October, exceeding 2.7 million tonnes. This was the highest monthly volume recorded there since the conflict began. Qatar exported nearly 6.2 million tonnes of LNG in February.

Kpler data also showed that two LNG tankers departing Ras Laffan conducted ship-to-ship transfers near Sohar anchorage off Oman’s coast.

The SC Prestige transferred its LNG cargo to the BW ENN Crystal Sky, which is currently bound for South Korea.

Another vessel, the Al Mafyar, transferred its cargo to the Shandong Redwood and Ejnan. Both vessels subsequently delivered their LNG shipments to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, exports from the UAE’s Das Island facility remained broadly stable, with seven cargo loadings recorded in October, unchanged from September, according to Kpler data.

The latest figures indicate a gradual recovery in LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, although Qatar’s transit activity remains below pre-conflict levels.