Iran stopped two Qatari LNG methane units. Ormuz Strait again in question

Iran halted the passage of two Qatari LNG methane units, although units were to receive prior authorisation for transit through the Ormuz Strait. This incident shows that the movement on one of the world's most important energy routes remains politically controlled and far from normalisation.

Two catharic methane ships Al Daayen and Rasheeda stopped before entering the Strait

According to Reuters, Iran stopped two Qatari LNG methaneships on Monday — Al Daayen and Rasheeda — Even though the units were to receive prior approval to cross the Ormuz Strait. According to a source familiar with the scenes of earlier findings, talks on this issue were conducted between Tehran and Washington involving Pakistan.

Both ships after approaching the Strait area were detained by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and received orders to await Further instructions. No explanation was given, although transit was to take place under an earlier agreement. Vessel traffic tracking data later showed that units remained off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and did not enter the strait.

Tehran continues to control LNG traffic on the key route

This event matters more than the incident itself with two ships. If voyage This would be the first confirmed transit of LNG cargo through the Ormuz Strait since the beginning of the American-Israeli War with Iran, which began on 28 February. Since then, the movement of tankers and gas carriers on this route has remained serious disturbed.

Data from Kpler and LSEG show that both methane ships were loaded at the end of February in Ras Laffan. On Monday morning, they headed east toward the Strait, but then turned around. Later they also changed the destination signals. Al Daayen began pointing to Ras Laffan as the destination port, although previously there had been directions associated with Pakistan and China. Rasheeda changed the designation to neutral "for orders", i.e. waiting for further dispositions.

In practice, this shows one thing: even if there are signals of allowing selected individuals to pass, Tehran's decisions can still be revoked at any time. Thus, we are not dealing with normal re-establishment of navigation, but with selective movement, subject to the current calculation Political Iran.

Bad news for LNG market

The matter has meaning far beyond the incident alone with two units. Qatar remains the second largest LNG exporter in the world, and most of its cargo goes to Asian markets. We have already written in detail about the effects of an earlier attack on Ras Laffan, which reduced the cataract capacity of LNG exports. on our portal.

This means that the tension around the Strait of Ormuz hits not only the sense of safety of shipping, but also the real supply of liquefied gas. For LNG importers, it is a clear signal that even a single Tehran decision can immediately change the market situation.

This would not be the first signal that tensions around Ormuz are starting to shift supply directions. Some of the fuel loads had already begun to sail from Europe to Asia.