Qatar’s Limited LNG Shipments Slip Through Hormuz to Pakistan Amid Ongoing Conflict

In early May 2026 the Singapore-flagged tanker Al Kharaitiyat left the Strait of Hormuz carrying 209,714 m³ of LNG loaded at Qatar’s Ras Laffan export complex. The vessel sailed on the Iranian-approved northern route and entered the Gulf of Oman before docking at Pakistan’s Port Qasim on 13 May. A second QatarEnergy-operated tanker, Mihzem, also departed Ras Laffan with roughly 173,000 m³ (140,000 m³ initial load plus a 33,000 m³ top-up) and was slated to arrive in Pakistan on 14 May. Both ships switched off AIS transponders for safety, a practice that has become common since the Iran-Israel war began at the end of February 2026.

First Qatari LNG tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz toward PakistanQatari LNG carriers transit Hormuz bound for Pakistan, but wider recovery remains uncertainBloomberg

The war has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that handles about half of global oil and a substantial share of LNG shipments. Qatar, which supplied almost 20 % of world LNG in 2025, has been unable to move cargoes out of the Persian Gulf for three months. The blockade has driven LNG prices higher and forced Asian buyers to seek alternative sources.

Drewry: Selective transits for LNG shipping through the Strait of HormuzPakistan is in talks with Iran over additional supplies of Qatari LNG through the Strait of HormuzReuters

• 28 Feb 2026 – Conflict escalates, Hormuz access restricted.

Bloomberg

• 10 May – Al Kharaitiyat begins crossing Hormuz via the Tehran-approved route.

Second Qatari LNG tanker heads through Hormuz to Pakistan as Iran war continues

• 11 May – Al Kharaitiyat reaches Gulf of Oman; Mihzem attempts transit.

Bloomberg

• 12 May – Reuters reports Mihzem expected at Port Qasim; Bloomberg notes the vessel turned back.

Qatari LNG carriers transit Hormuz bound for Pakistan, but wider recovery remains uncertain

• 13 May – Al Kharaitiyat arrives at Port Qasim.

Qatari LNG carriers transit Hormuz bound for Pakistan, but wider recovery remains uncertain

• 14 May – Drewry projects Mihzem arrival; other sources still list it as “en route.”

Qatar LNG ship turns around, attempts to cross the Strait of Hormuz unsuccessful

• Qatar’s LNG export capacity: ? 12.8 Mt yr?¹ damaged, ? 17 % of output lost.

Reuters

• Pre-war Hormuz traffic: ? 3 LNG tankers day?¹; current traffic: 1–2 tankers day?¹.

Bloomberg

• Pakistan’s LNG imports fell 48 % since February, from an average of eight discharges per month to four.

Drewry: Selective transits for LNG shipping through the Strait of Hormuz

• Regional demand forecast for 2026 revised down to 260 Mt from 291 Mt.

Qatari LNG carriers transit Hormuz bound for Pakistan, but wider recovery remains uncertain

• Kuwait is projected to import ? 4 Mt of Qatari LNG in 2026, all via tankers trapped in the Gulf.

Hormuz LNG breakthrough: Four LNGCs eye the exit

Pakistan relies on Qatari LNG for power generation; the gas shortfall has triggered widespread blackouts. The limited transits provide temporary relief but do not restore pre-war supply levels, leaving Asian LNG markets vulnerable to price spikes.

Drewry: Selective transits for LNG shipping through the Strait of Hormuz

• Pakistan Petroleum Division spokesperson Zafar Abbas declined comment on the shipments.

Bloomberg

• Iranian foreign ministry and QatarEnergy issued no statements.

Qatari LNG carriers transit Hormuz bound for Pakistan, but wider recovery remains uncertain

• Iranian state media (Wana News) confirmed that Al Kharaitiyat received formal clearance from Iranian authorities.

The Maritime Executive

Analysts note that the transits are “a rare exception” driven by Pakistan’s diplomatic leverage rather than a broader market reopening. ICIS senior analyst Alex Froley warned that the arrangement “doesn’t mean Qatar can export to other buyers yet.” QatarEnergy’s force-majeure extension through June further limits commercial flexibility.

Qatari LNG carriers transit Hormuz bound for Pakistan, but wider recovery remains uncertain

Ship-tracking data show both Al Kharaitiyat and Mihzem operating with AIS off, a tactic used to evade electronic interference and potential attacks. Bloomberg reported Mihzem reversing course after approaching the Iranian-controlled sector of Hormuz, highlighting ongoing security risks.

Bloomberg

Sources differ on Mihzem’s status: Reuters and Drewry list it as successfully transiting, while Bloomberg and Maritime Executive describe a turn-back. No official confirmation from Iran, Qatar, or Pakistan clarifies the vessel’s final position. Additionally, the exact number of Qatari LNG tankers that have passed Hormuz remains uncertain, with reports ranging from two to three.

Second Qatari LNG tanker heads through Hormuz to Pakistan as Iran war continues

• “They said Iran had approved the shipment to help build confidence with Qatar and Pakistan.” — Reuters source

Second Qatari LNG tanker heads through Hormuz to Pakistan as Iran war continues

• “Pakistan has secured agreement from Iran for a few cargoes, but that doesn’t mean Qatar can export to other buyers yet,” — Alex Froley, ICIS senior LNG analyst

Qatari LNG carriers transit Hormuz bound for Pakistan, but wider recovery remains uncertain

• “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” — Donald Trump, President of the United States

The Maritime Executive

• “The Mihzem has changed its direction away from Hormuz, though it continues to signal Pakistan as its next destination, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.” — Bloomberg

Bloomberg

• “Iranian media confirmed that the vessel was the first non-Iranian LNG tanker to receive clearance from the Iranian navy to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war, noting that it was detected near the entry point before its automatic tracking system was switched off.” — Wana News, Iranian state media

First Qatari LNG tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz toward Pakistan

Pakistan is negotiating additional limited shipments, while QatarEnergy’s force-majeure remains in effect. Until a diplomatic resolution reopens Hormuz or a broader agreement is reached with other Asian buyers, LNG flows are expected to stay sporadic and market volatility high.

Bloomberg