Qatar LNG tankers pass through Hormuz amid fluctuating traffic levels

Four liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers operated by QatarEnergy were observed entering the Strait of Hormuz on June 22, even as overall maritime traffic declined following reports that Iran had again restricted passage through the waterway over the weekend, according to analytics firm Kpler.

Ship-tracking data showed the vessels — Wadi Al Sail, Mekaines, Al Sadd, and Mesaimeer — reportedly transited into the strait via the Iranian-controlled route for the first time since the outbreak of the US–Israeli conflict with Iran began on February 28, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

QatarEnergy, whose LNG exports have been significantly disrupted since the start of the conflict, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Separately, the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Summit Success also entered the Gulf on Monday, according to LSEG tracking data.

Overall maritime movement through the strait fluctuated sharply over the weekend. Kpler data showed that five vessels passed through on Sunday, down from 26 ships recorded the previous day. Among them were three very large crude carriers transporting around 2 million barrels each of Saudi crude and fuel oil, with at least one cargo destined for Japan.

Analysts noted that additional vessels may be operating with transponders switched off, making full tracking difficult.

Iran had previously eased its blockade of Hormuz after agreeing with the United States to extend an April ceasefire for 60 days to enable peace negotiations. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later announced a renewed closure of the waterway on Saturday, citing Israeli strikes in Lebanon as justification.

Despite this, the U.S. Central Command reported that 55 merchant vessels still transited the strait on Saturday, carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil destined for global markets.

Data also showed that three VLCCs loaded with crude from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and Iraq were among those exiting the strait, alongside several tankers carrying refined petroleum products.

On the same day, 13 ships entered the passage, including two VLCCs.

Iranian officials claimed that more than 25 million barrels of Iranian crude had passed through the de facto blockade line since Monday, according to statements by Hamid Bovard, head of the National Iranian Oil Company.

Meanwhile, three sanctioned VLCCs — Elva, Virgo, and Vigor — carrying Iranian crude loaded from Kharg Island between late April and early May were also reported to be exiting the strait on June 22.

Gulf producers, including Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, have issued crude sales tenders offering flexibility on loading locations both inside and outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Elsewhere, two South Korean-operated vessels also passed through the strait last week following the interim agreement, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

The Japan Shipowners’ Association reported that the number of Japanese-linked ships remaining in the Gulf has fallen to 37, down from 45 at the start of the conflict.

In addition, two LNG tankers controlled by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were delivering cargoes to India after exiting the strait recently. The vessels Al Hamra and Mubaraz were observed discharging at the Ennore and Kochi LNG terminals.

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company declined to comment on vessel movements, stating that it does not provide information on the routing or positioning of ships.

Both vessels have reportedly completed two so-called “dark” voyages through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the conflict.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov