Second Qatari LNG tanker heads to Pakistan through Strait of Hormuz

A second Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker is transiting the Strait of Hormuz towards Pakistan days after another LNG cargo successfully crossed the waterway under a reported arrangement involving Iran and Pakistan.

According to LSEG shipping data, the vessel Mihzem, carrying 174,000 cubic metres of LNG, departed Ras Laffan in Qatar and is heading to Port Qasim, where it is expected to arrive on May 12.

The development marks the second successful passage through the Strait of Hormuz for a Qatari LNG tanker since the start of the Iran conflict.

On Saturday, LNG tanker Al Kharaitiyat began crossing the Strait of Hormuz through an Iranian-approved northern route and completed the transit on Sunday.

Sources familiar with the arrangement told Reuters on May 9 that the LNG cargoes were being supplied by Qatar to Pakistan under a government-to-government agreement and that Iran had approved the shipments to support confidence-building efforts involving Qatar and Pakistan.

According to the sources, two additional Qatari LNG tankers are also expected to travel to Pakistan in the coming days.

A source briefed on the arrangement said Pakistan had been holding discussions with Iran to allow a limited number of LNG vessels to pass through the strait as Islamabad seeks to manage domestic gas shortages.

The source added that Iran agreed to facilitate the safe movement of the first LNG cargo supplied under Pakistan’s long-term agreement with Qatar, its main LNG supplier.

Earlier this month, ADNOC also managed to send two LNG tankers through the Strait of Hormuz after their tracking signals were switched off, according to shipping data.

The movements highlight continued operational risks in the strategic waterway amid regional tensions.

Qatar is the world’s second-largest LNG exporter, with most shipments destined for Asian markets.

According to the report, Iranian attacks disrupted around 17% of Qatar’s LNG export capacity, with repairs expected to keep 12.8 million metric tonnes per year of production offline for three to five years.