Micah Jonah, April 19, 2026
Five liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels loaded at Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal are approaching the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship tracking data on Saturday, marking a potential resumption of LNG flows through the waterway.
The vessels, identified as Al Ghashamiya, Lebrethah, Fuwairit, Rasheeda and Disha, are reported to be moving eastward toward the strait after loading cargo in Qatar.
The development would represent the first LNG shipments through the route since the onset of the US and Israel conflict with Iran in late February, which had previously disrupted maritime traffic in the Gulf region.
Four of the vessels are controlled by QatarEnergy, while the fifth is chartered by India’s Petronet.
According to shipping analytics data, two of the cargoes are expected to head toward Pakistan, two toward India, while one has not yet confirmed its destination.
Energy tracking firms also report that additional tankers are repositioning in the region, with some vessels entering the Gulf of Oman as upstream production activity at Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility shows signs of recovery.
Qatar remains one of the world’s largest exporters of LNG, supplying major markets across Asia.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key transit route for global oil and gas shipments, and movements through the waterway are closely monitored due to its strategic importance to international energy supply chains.
Industry analysts note that vessel movements indicate a gradual restoration of maritime activity following recent disruptions linked to regional tensions.
