LNG carriers at the Qatari LNG export facility at Ras Laffan. Photo: RasGas<\/p>\n
Qatari LNG Tanker Sailing Towards Hormuz Strait<\/p>\n
May 9 (Reuters)\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Qatari LNG tanker Al Kharaitiyat was sailing towards the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after departing<\/p>\n
en route to\u00a0Port\u00a0Qasim in Pakistan, according to LSEG\u00a0shipping\u00a0data.<\/p>\n
A successful passage would mark the first transit by a Qatari LNG tanker through the strait since the start of\u00a0the war on Iran. There was no immediate comment from QatarEnergy.<\/p>\n
The LNG is being sold by Qatar to Pakistan \u2013<\/p>\n
a mediator in the war<\/p>\n
\u2013 under a government-to-government deal, according to two people familiar with the matter. They said Iran had approved the shipment to help build confidence with Qatar and Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Pakistan has been in discussions with Iran to<\/p>\n
allow a limited number of LNG tankers<\/p>\n
to pass through the strait, as Islamabad urgently needs to address its gas shortage, a source briefed on the agreement told Reuters.<\/p>\n
Iran agreed to assist, and the two sides are coordinating the first vessel\u2019s safe passage carrying gas supplied under Pakistan\u2019s agreement with Qatar, its main LNG supplier, the source added.<\/p>\n
The vessel, managed by Nakilat\u00a0Shipping\u00a0Qatar Ltd and sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, has a cargo capacity of 211,986 cubic meters, according to LSEG data.<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guards halted two Qatar LNG tankers, Al Daayen and Rasheeda, that had been heading towards the Strait of Hormuz on April 6 and instructed them to hold position\u00a0without explanation, a source told Reuters at the time.<\/p>\n
Qatar LNG Vessels U-Turn After Attempt to Pass Through Hormuz<\/p>\n
Qatar is the world\u2019s second-largest exporter ?of LNG, ?with shipments mostly going to buyers in Asia. Iranian attacks knocked out 17% of Qatar\u2019s ?LNG export\u00a0capacity, with repairs expected to sideline 12.8 million tons per year of the fuel for three to five years.<\/p>\n