More Qatari LNG tankers transit Strait of Hormuz despite tensions

Four Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the week, reappearing outside the waterway between October 2 and 3, according to vessel tracking data from Kpler and the London Stock Exchange Group. The movement highlights a recent increase in Qatar's LNG export activity despite ongoing security risks tied to the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

Three of the tankers—Bu Samra, Al Khattara, and Al Sadd—are operated by QatarEnergy. Al Khattara is currently en route to Zhejiang, China, while Al Sadd delivered its cargo to the Dahej terminal in India on October 3. The fourth tanker, Al Kharsaah, is managed by independent gas shipping company Seapeak Maritime.

The four tankers were last seen inside the strait between September 18 and 27. Many vessels passing through the strait reportedly switch off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders to avoid detection, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, the LNG tanker Al Maroona, also operated by Seapeak Maritime, reappeared empty in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qatar on October 2, after previously being tracked outside the waterway. QatarEnergy and Seapeak Maritime did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.