ADNOC could re-establish regular LNG shipments through Hormuz as second vessel transits

With US-Iran negotiations ongoing and blockades still in place, a second laden LNG carrier appears to have passed through the Strait within a week.

ICIS senior LNG analyst Alex Froley told Riviera that 1996-built Mraweh, linked to ADNOC, reappeared on ship-tracking systems on 6 May after not transmitting a signal since mid-April.

Mr Froley said the vessel was later detected near the Strait of Malacca, signalling a voyage towards Japan. The last confirmed position showed the ship in ballast, waiting east of the Strait of Hormuz.

“It seems likely the vessel turned off its signal, passed west through the Strait, loaded a cargo, and then crossed back east again,” the analyst said.

Mraweh is the second ADNOC-linked LNG carrier that appears to have loaded at Das Island in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and crossed east through the Strait of Hormuz, Mr Froley noted. Another 1996-built vessel, Mubaraz, reappeared on tracking systems in late April. It was the first laden LNG carrier to transit the Strait since the conflict began on 28 February. Meanwhile, 2001-built Sohar LNG, owned by Oman LNG, transited empty in early April.

Mr Froley said further shipments may follow, as other ADNOC-linked LNG carriers have also recently lost signal. “It looks like ADNOC could be re-establishing regular shipments through the Strait,” he added.

However, uncertainty remains over Qatar and whether it could resume normal export flows. ICIS data shows Qatar’s LNG production is around 80M tonnes per year, compared with roughly 5M tonnes per year for the UAE.

“Qatar’s vessels are still within the Strait and their signals remain up to date, suggesting they are not attempting covert movements,” Mr Froley said.

Adding to the uncertainty, Italy’s Edison Energy said QatarEnergy has extended force majeure to cover two additional LNG cargoes under its long-term delivery contract, potentially prolonging war-related disruption into at least early July.