LNG Cargoes Transferred Via Ship-to-Ship Outside Strait of Hormuz

Three liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes originating from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have undergone ship-to-ship (STS) transfers outside the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks, according to ship-tracking firms Vortexa and Kpler, as reported by gCaptain on 2 September 2026.

These transfers involved deliveries to India and Japan. Ship-to-ship transfers for LNG cargoes are described as unusual, contrasting with crude oil transfers.

The activity comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, which has seen several commercial vessels targeted since a conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran began on 28 February. The Strait has been largely closed by Iran during the six-month conflict, impacting energy supplies and contributing to rising prices.

Specific Transfers Detailed

One transfer involved the LNG carrier GasLog Shanghai, which had experienced an incident while exiting the Strait of Hormuz. In late August, the GasLog Shanghai completed an STS transfer with the GasLog Savannah off the coast of Oman. The GasLog Shanghai's cargo had been loaded at Qatar's Ras Laffan export terminal, according to Vortexa and Kpler data.

Another STS transfer took place in mid-August involving the QatarEnergy-controlled Al Rekayyat tanker. This vessel had been hit by a projectile near the Strait of Hormuz in early July. The transfer occurred on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates with another Qatari LNG tanker, Tembek. The cargo, also loaded at Ras Laffan, was subsequently delivered by Tembek to India's Dahej terminal on 31 August, Kpler data showed.

Further Transfers and Market Impact

A third transfer involved the ADNOC-controlled Mraweh and LNG Enugu. This STS operation occurred off the coast of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz, in mid-August. The Mraweh had loaded an LNG cargo from Das Island in early August. The LNG Enugu is currently en route to Futtsu, Japan, as per Kpler data. ADNOC, QatarEnergy, and GasLog did not respond to requests for comment regarding these activities, according to gCaptain.

The disruption to LNG exports from the region since the conflict's commencement has contributed to Asian spot LNG prices reaching a five-month high of $23.20 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), more than double pre-conflict levels, the article noted.