A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker from Qatar has reportedly transited the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the outbreak of the Iran war, signaling a potentially significant development for global energy markets strained by months of supply disruptions.
The tanker, Al Kharaitiyat, departed Qatar’s Ras Laffan export terminal earlier this month and has now entered the Gulf of Oman, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg and LSEG. The vessel is reportedly headed to Port Qasim in Pakistan and is expected to arrive on Monday, according to Vessel Finder data.
The crossing marks the first successful passage by a Qatari LNG carrier through the strategically vital waterway since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed following the start of the conflict on February 28.
First Successful Qatari LNG Transit Since Conflict Began
Ship-tracking data showed that Al Kharaitiyat appeared to navigate the Tehran-approved northern shipping route hugging the Iranian coastline through the strait. The vessel is managed by Nakilat Shipping Qatar Ltd. and sails under the Marshall Islands flag.
Sources cited by Reuters said Iran approved the shipment under a government-to-government arrangement involving Qatar and Pakistan. Islamabad has been actively mediating efforts aimed at ending the conflict while simultaneously grappling with a severe domestic energy crisis.
“The LNG is being sold by Qatar to Pakistan, a mediator in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, under a government-to-government deal,” according to two people familiar with the matter cited by Reuters.
Another source briefed on the arrangement told Reuters that “Pakistan has been in discussions with Iran to allow a limited number of LNG tankers to pass through the strait, as Islamabad urgently needs to address its gas shortage.”
The source added: “Iran agreed to assist, and the two sides are coordinating the first vessel’s safe passage carrying gas supplied under Pakistan’s agreement with Qatar, its main LNG supplier.”
Hormuz Closure Disrupted Global LNG Markets
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with roughly one-fifth of global energy exports typically passing through the narrow waterway. The conflict has severely disrupted LNG trade flows, contributing to higher energy prices and shortages across Asian markets.
Both Iran and the United States have imposed de facto blockades in the region, creating heightened security risks for commercial shipping.
While the successful voyage of Al Kharaitiyat may indicate the possibility of limited LNG flows resuming from the Persian Gulf, export activity remains far below prewar levels, when Qatar typically dispatched around three LNG shipments daily through the strait.
Earlier attempts by Qatar to move LNG cargoes through Hormuz were unsuccessful. On April 6, two Qatari LNG tankers — Rasheeda and Al Daayen — reportedly aborted their crossings after Iranian authorities denied clearance and instructed the vessels to hold position.
At least two LNG tankers from Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.’s export facility have also managed to transit the strait since the conflict began, according to Bloomberg.
Pakistan’s Energy Crisis Adds Urgency
Pakistan’s role as the destination for the shipment underscores the country’s growing urgency to secure energy supplies amid ongoing gas shortages.
Qatar remains Pakistan’s primary LNG supplier under long-term agreements. The Al Kharaitiyat, with a cargo capacity of 211,986 cubic meters according to LSEG shipping data, represents a critical delivery for Islamabad as the country faces mounting domestic energy pressures.
The successful passage also reflects a broader geopolitical balancing act involving Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan at a time of escalating regional tensions.
War Impact Continues to Weigh on Global Gas Supply
The conflict has had major consequences for global gas markets. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported last month that war-related disruptions caused worldwide LNG supplies to fall sharply in March.
LNG production declined by 8% year-on-year, equivalent to four billion cubic meters, contributing to a 20% drop in global gas supplies, according to the Paris-based agency.
“The duration of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a key uncertainty that will affect global gas demand in 2026,” the IEA said in its quarterly report.
The war has also directly affected Qatar’s energy infrastructure. Iranian missile strikes on Qatar reportedly damaged facilities linked to the Ras Laffan industrial site, temporarily knocking out approximately 17% of the country’s LNG export capacity.
QatarEnergy chief executive Saad Al Kaabi previously said the disruption could last between three and five years, with repairs expected to sideline 12.8 million tons of LNG production annually. The damages are estimated to cost Qatar roughly $20 billion each year.
Nakilat and QatarEnergy did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the latest shipment.