Third Qatari LNG tanker heads through Hormuz to China, data shows

Published 22 May, 2026 08:50pm 2 min read
A representational image. -- Reuters
A representational image. -- Reuters

A Third Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker is transiting the Strait of Hormuz and heading to China, ship-tracking data showed on Friday, ​as a Qatari negotiating team arrived in Tehran to try to ​help secure a deal to end the war with Iran.

As shipments ⁠through the waterway continue to be erratic, this third transit of a ​Qatari LNG tanker is taking place nearly two weeks after the first ​such cargo passed through the strait under an Iran-Pakistan arrangement.

The vessel, Al Sahla, with a capacity of 211,842 cubic metres, left Ras Laffan and is expected to arrive ​at China’s Tianjin LNG terminal on June 14, according to LSEG shipping ​data.

The previous two Qatari LNG tankers to make it through the Strait of Hormuz since ‌US-Israeli ⁠airstrikes unleashed the Iran war at the end of February were sold by Qatar to Pakistan under a government-to-government deal, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The people said Iran approved the shipment to help build confidence ​between Qatar and ​Pakistan, which is ⁠mediating in peace talks.

On Friday, a Qatari negotiating team arrived in Tehran in coordination with the United States to ​try to resolve outstanding issues, a source with knowledge ​of the ⁠matter told Reuters on Friday.

Qatar is the world’s second-largest exporter of LNG, with shipments mostly going to buyers in Asia. Iranian attacks have destroyed 17%, or ⁠12.8 million ​metric tons per year, of Qatar’s LNG ​export capacity. Repairs could take between three and five years, QatarEnergy’s CEO and state minister ​for energy affairs has told Reuters.

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