Another Qatari LNG Tanker Heads to Pakistan After Crossing Strait of Hormuz

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker carrying cargo from Qatar is making its way to Pakistan after successfully transiting the Strait of Hormuz, offering a rare sign of recovery in energy shipments disrupted by months of conflict in the Middle East.

According to shipping data cited by Reuters, the LNG tanker Fuwairit was crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and is expected to discharge its cargo in Pakistan on Tuesday. The vessel loaded LNG at Qatar’s Ras Laffan export terminal around March 28 and is among the limited number of energy carriers that have recently managed to leave the Gulf. Reuters reported that the ship is owned by Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.

The development comes as maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely affected by the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The strategic waterway normally handles around one-fifth of global oil and LNG trade, making it one of the most important energy chokepoints in the world.

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Reuters reported that before the conflict began, between 125 and 140 vessels passed through the strait daily. Shipping activity has since fallen sharply, with thousands of seafarers reportedly stranded aboard vessels inside the Gulf.

The LNG shipment is particularly significant for Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported LNG to meet domestic energy demand, especially during peak summer months. Any disruption in LNG deliveries can place additional pressure on electricity generation and industrial gas supplies.

Alongside the Pakistan-bound cargo, another LNG tanker carrying Qatari gas is headed to China, while several crude oil tankers have recently resumed voyages from the Gulf to Asian destinations. Industry observers view these movements as an indication that some energy trade routes are gradually reopening despite continued geopolitical uncertainty