Hormuz transits fall
Ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz has reached a new low, falling to 9 on Thursday compared with 14 on the previous day, according to ship tracking data. Of the 9 vessels tracked just 8 managed to exit the waterway, though some might have sailed through unnoticed with their AIS transporter turned off.
Oil prices fall as fresh U.S.-Iran talks raise supply hopes
Oil prices have plunged on Monday as fresh U.S.-Iran talks raise hopes for a reinstatement of Middle Eastern oil and LNG deliveries. The November Brent contract was seen trading as low as $99.07 barrel at the time of writing, pulling down oil-indexed term LNG prices.
Pakistan arranges Hormuz transit with Iran
Sept 21 – Pakistan has arranged safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, following negotiations with Iran, allowing an LNG carrier loaded at Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal to transit the strait over the weekend. According to ship-tracking data, the LNGC is expected to arrive in Pakistan by Tuesday.
Shell warns of 36 mtpa Middle East LNG shortfall
Shell estimates the war involving Iran has removed 36 mtpa shortfall of LNG supply from the Middle East, President for Integrated Gas Cedric Cremers said at Gastech, while Oman sought to downplay shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz as “temporary.” Around 20 mtpa of the lost supply had been offset by new production, predominantly from North America – implying there is still a 16 mtpa gap in the global LNG markets.
Stalled US-Iran talks to uphold LNG risk price premiums
Stalled US-Iran negotiations are manifesting LNG price premiums this autumn, with the average price for an October cargo delivered to Northeast Asia forecast at $22.50 per MMBtu. The geopolitical premium is firmly engrained in global LNG markets, fuelling a bullish sentiment in Asia where the price of delivered LNG increased by$0.85/MMBtu week-on-week to nearly$22.10/MMBtu.
US unleashes sanctions against Iran, raises stakes for Hormuz trade flows
The United States has launched what it calls an “economic D‑Day” against Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent extending sanctions against nearly 60 Iran-linked entities and vessels, raising stakes for oil and LNG trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar curtails budget by 30% as LNG revenues collapse
The Qatari government has ordered ministries to cut their budgets by up to 30% and slash overseas aid after LNG revenues collapsed. The 2026 state budget had been set at $61 billion at the start of the year, but since then, Qatar’s LNG-dependent economy has been hit hard by war-related damage to its Ras Laffan LNG hub and persistent shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
LNG tankers swap cargoes off Oman as Gulf flows skirt Hormuz
Two LNG tankers seem to have conducted a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer outside the Strait of Hormuz, as suppliers seek to keep fuel moving from inside the Persian Gulf to global markets.
LNG transits through Hormuz slow after tanker attacks
Transits of crude oil and LNG tankers through the Strait of Hormuz have slowed sharply over the weekend as shipowners and operators reacted to latest attacks on tankers and stalled U.S.-Iran talks.
QatarEnergies extends force majeure on Edison LNG cargoes
QatarEnergies has notified Edison that it is unable to deliver three LNG cargoes, extending force majeure until the end of September, the Italian utility stated. A total of 24 cargoes, representing a combined 3 bcm of natural gas, are now subject to force majeure over the April-September delivery window, with Edison saying it has already replaced most of the lost volumes.
