LNG

Qatar is repositioning LNG carriers back into the Middle East Gulf as loadings resume and is understood to be seeking short-term charter coverage. Offtakers are counting on QatarEnergy’s promise to reinstate at least half of Ras Laffan production capacity within a month of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz being restored.

No LNG carriers are at the Ras Laffan berths and no loadings under way, our vessel tracking data shows, and Sunday night's explosion and fire at the Barzan plant points to a slower return to market for the complex than its recent restart signals had implied.