LNG Shipments Through Strait of Hormuz Rose in September
Transit volumes reached their highest monthly level since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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LNG shipments transiting the Strait of Hormuz increased to 19 cargoes in September 2026, up from 15 in June. This surge marks the highest monthly activity since the conflict began, driven by renewed vessel departures from the Ras Laffan terminal.
Why it matters
The resumption of transit through this critical maritime chokepoint suggests a partial stabilization of energy flows despite the ongoing conflict. However, QatarEnergy maintains force majeure notices for customers in Europe and Asia, signaling continued instability in the supply chain.
In September 2026, 19 LNG cargoes passed through the Strait, including 13 from Qatar and 6 from the United Arab Emirates. This remains far below the pre-conflict average of three daily shipments.
The players
QatarEnergy
This state-owned petroleum company operates the Ras Laffan export terminal and manages the majority of LNG production in Qatar.
The details
Vessels including Al Kharaitiyat, Al Gharrafa, and Milaha Qatar re-entered the route from the Ras Laffan terminal to facilitate the shipments. During transit, some ships reportedly deactivated their Automatic Identification System to maintain operational security.
Timeline
June 2026: 15 LNG cargoes transited the Strait of Hormuz.
September 2026: 19 LNG cargoes transited the Strait of Hormuz.
Late September 2026: LNG traffic increased more rapidly.
October 2026: Shipping volumes could reach 25 percent of pre-war levels.
Market Landscape
The return of transit activity follows the patterns of disruption observed since the US-Israel war with Iran. This movement indicates a strategic shift as major exporters attempt to navigate maritime risks to regain global market share.
Energy consumers in Europe and Asia may see modest improvements in supply availability if transit trends continue to rise. However, the reliance on force majeure notices suggests that retail energy pricing will remain subject to geopolitical uncertainty.
The takeaway
The increase in LNG transit suggests that essential energy corridors are seeing a cautious return to regular operation. Global markets remain heavily dependent on these routes, and further volume increases are contingent on the ongoing regional security environment.
Further reading
For more on supply trends, visit the Oil and Gas section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idnfinancials.
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