Following a US-Iran deal that has the Strait of Hormuz poised to reopen, Qatar
has begun repositioning LNG carriers to the Middle East to prepare for higher
exports. Vessel-tracking shows at least four Qatar-owned empty LNG carriers that
were idle or diverted are now turning back toward the region, with Ras Laffan
listed as their next port; a Qatar-chartered ship is also en route. Separately,
four Qatar-linked tankers are anchored in the Gulf of Oman and may attempt
transit through Hormuz into the Persian Gulf. Qatar has not sent empty ships
into the Gulf since the February outbreak of war. The moves account for only a
small portion of Qatar’s roughly 70-vessel fleet but signal readiness to lift
shipments if the strait reopens.
