On May 10, the Qatari LNG tanker "Al Kharaitiyat" successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first time Qatar has exported liquefied natural gas from the Persian Gulf since the outbreak of the war with Iran at the end of February.
It took the northern route approved by Iran.
Shipping data shows that the oil tanker, which loaded cargo at the port of Ras Lafan, sailed into the Gulf of Oman via the northern route of the Strait of Hormuz (close to the Iranian coast), bound for Pakistan. This route requires approval from the Iranian authorities.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blocked since the outbreak of the war—Iran and the United States have each implemented different degrees of maritime control, which has severely impacted the global LNG supply, leading to natural gas shortages in many Asian countries and a continuous rise in prices.
The signals are positive, but recovery is still a long way off.
Qatar had previously made several attempts to send ships through the strait, all of which ended in them turning back. Qatar contributed nearly one-fifth of the world's LNG production capacity last year, but has not been able to ship a single vessel out since the end of February.
This successful passage is a positive sign, but it's still far from restoring pre-war levels—before the war, approximately three LNG carriers departed the Persian Gulf daily. Two LNG carriers from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company had previously passed through the strait, but overall capacity recovery remains very limited.
For those involved in international logistics and foreign trade, fuel prices are not expected to change significantly in the short term, but it's worth monitoring the situation regarding passage through the strait. If more LNG carriers resume passage, fuel surcharges may be eased.
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