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Arabian Post
11 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Gulf Precautions Prompt LNG Armada Off Hormuz Shores
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Qatar has instructed LNG carriers to remain outside the Strait of Hormuz until one day prior to loading operations as regional security risks heighten, with officials emphasising that this measure is precautionary and unlikely to disrupt overall supply volumes. The directive from QatarEnergy affects vessels bound for the Ras Laffan terminal, one of the world's largest liquefied natural gas export facilities. Around a dozen carriers are idling in ballast outside the terminal, awaiting final instructions before undertaking brief, tightly scheduled transits through the strait. ADVERTISEMENT Market indicators reacted swiftly: European gas prices surged as much as 4.8%, while Asian benchmarks inched upward amid growing concern over potential delivery delays. Despite this, analysts and industry insiders maintain that the streamlined entry process—coupled with Qatar's steady production—should keep cargo volumes within normal parameters. This move aligns with contingency efforts by the world's third-largest LNG exporter. Industry sources confirm that the carriers will execute 'quick entry and speedy exits' across the Hormuz passage, necessitating precise scheduling and coordination with maritime authorities. Analysts acknowledge that about 20–25% of global LNG traffic transits the Strait, underscoring its significance as a logistical chokepoint. Instructing vessels to loiter offshore aims to reduce their vulnerable exposure time in the strait. Strategic analysts warn that escalating tensions—particularly after recent military exchanges involving Israel and Iran—increase risks for all Gulf shipping. Tehran has threatened to seal off the strait, which could strain Qatar's export pipelines and ripple through global energy markets. Despite geopolitical headwinds, Qatar's production at the South Pars/North Field complex remains steady. The foreign ministry emphasised that LNG output and shipments continue to follow their usual course, even as the country takes enhanced security measures. Operational insights from shipping analysts describe a familiar summer idling pattern, but note slight increases in loitering time and cautious routing. Vessels such as the tanker HLAITAN are reportedly waiting outside the strait in anticipation of load orders. Market response has been modest. European gas hubs such as TTF recorded price rises of around 4–5%, while the Asia‑Pacific's JKM benchmark reached nearly $14 per mmBtu, marking a $1.20 uptick since mid‑June. CNBC‑style commentary points out that the precautionary shift is 'unlikely to cause major disruption,' although insurers are adjusting premiums to reflect the heightened transit risks. For global exporters and importers, Qatar's stance underscores a renewed emphasis on maritime risk management. Shipping firms are increasingly factoring geopolitical volatility into their routing and scheduling protocols. International insurers have begun revising coverage for LNG carriers traversing the Gulf, citing increased premiums tied to potential missile or drone threats in the region. Qatar's approach enables more controlled maritime planning: by delaying vessel entry until close to the loading window, the country limits their exposure to strategic bottlenecks and regional flare‑ups. This calculated move underscores Doha's dual priorities of maintaining export reliability and protecting vital shipping assets.
Business Recorder
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Qatar says its output at South Pars field steady
LONDON/DUBAI: Qatar's gas production at the South Pars field is steady and supply is proceeding normally, it said on Tuesday, after the world's largest gas field was hit by an Israeli airstrike on Saturday, prompting Iran to partially suspend its production. Qatar, the world's third-biggest liquefied natural gas exporter after the US and Australia, shares the South Pars gas field with Iran. 'So far, gas supplies are proceeding normally. However, the ill-advised targeting raises concerns for everyone regarding gas supplies,' Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said. 'This is a reckless move ... The companies operating in the fields are international, and there is a global presence, especially in the North Field,' he said during a weekly press briefing in Doha. The South Pars field is located offshore in Iran's southern Bushehr province and accounts for the bulk of production in Iran, the world's third-largest gas producer after the United States and Russia. Loading of LNG from Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG Terminal, which usually loads about 90 cargoes a month, remains within the usual range so far, according to shipping data from ICIS LNG Edge. 'There appear to be more than a dozen vessels in ballast (not carrying any cargo) waiting outside the port. These would ordinarily be expected to load quickly, but it remains to be seen if these will be delayed,' said ICIS' LNG analyst Robert Songer. LNG tanker, HLAITAN, which delivered a cargo to India earlier this month, was on its way back to Ras Laffan but is idling away from the Strait of Hormuz.
