Four liquefied natural gas carriers controlled by Qatar have sailed into the Strait of Hormuz as maritime traffic in the region remains subdued after Iran announced the passage was once again closed over the weekend.
The vessels Wadi Al Sail, Mekaines, Al Sadd and Mesaimeer were travelling through a route near Iranian waters, marking their first passage through the strait since conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensified, according to data from maritime analytics firm Kpler.
QatarEnergy, whose LNG export operations have faced significant disruption since the outbreak of hostilities, did not immediately comment on the latest vessel movements.
Shipping records also showed that the Marshall Islands-registered bulk carrier Summit Success entered the Gulf on Monday.
Maritime traffic through the strait has fallen considerably in recent days. Kpler data indicated that only five vessels transited the waterway on Sunday, down from 26 ships recorded a day earlier.
Among those making the crossing were three Very Large Crude Carriers transporting approximately two million barrels of Saudi crude oil and fuel products each, with one vessel reportedly bound for Japan.
Industry observers noted that the actual number of ships operating in the area could be higher, as some vessels may be sailing with tracking systems switched off.
Iran had eased restrictions on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz last week after agreeing with the United States to extend a ceasefire arrangement aimed at supporting diplomatic negotiations. However, Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard later announced that the waterway would again be closed following Israeli military actions in Lebanon.
Despite the uncertainty, the US Central Command said 55 commercial ships successfully navigated the strait on Saturday, carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil destined for international markets.
Data also showed that several tankers transporting crude from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq exited the strait during the same period, alongside vessels carrying refined petroleum products.
A further 13 ships entered the passage on Saturday, including two Very Large Crude Carriers.
Iranian authorities insist oil exports continue despite the disruption. Hamid Bovard, head of the National Iranian Oil Company, said more than 25 million barrels of Iranian crude had crossed the effective blockade zone since Monday.
Meanwhile, regional energy producers have adjusted their export strategies. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation have reportedly offered buyers the option of loading crude cargoes from either side of the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries also confirmed that two vessels operated by Korean companies recently passed through the strait after Washington and Tehran reached an interim peace agreement last week, although the ships were not identified.
Elsewhere, two LNG tankers operated by ADNOC were delivering cargoes to India on Monday after recently departing the Gulf. Shipping data showed that Al Hamra was unloading at the Ennore LNG terminal, while Mubaraz was scheduled to discharge its cargo at Kochi on June 23.
Both vessels had temporarily disappeared from public tracking systems before reappearing off India’s coast carrying LNG shipments. ADNOC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Maritime analysts said Al Hamra and Mubaraz have now completed two untracked voyages through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began.
Goodness Anunobi
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