A Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker destined for Pakistan was struck near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, just hours after Iran gave clearance for its transit, Bloomberg reported.
Pakistan had arranged safe passage for the Marshall Islands-flagged Al Mayeda with Iranian officials, as it has done for several previous shipments, according to sources with direct knowledge. The identity of the attacker remains unknown.
What Happened to the Ship
Tracking data shows the vessel, owned by Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat), was hit by unidentified objects while navigating the Gulf and then turned back. Nakilat said none of the crew were hurt, there was no environmental damage, and the ship stays under control while damage is evaluated.
India's Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the incident as a projectile attack and confirmed that all 25 crew members, including six Indians, are safe. Qatar denounced the assault as a threat to global energy supplies and announced an investigation.
It is still uncertain whether the cargo will reach Pakistan.
What This Means for You
Pakistan has relied on its relationship with Tehran to keep Qatari LNG moving, receiving three Qatari cargoes in October. This incident shows that even Iranian approval no longer ensures a secure passage.
If the cargo fails to arrive, Pakistan may need to purchase a replacement on the spot market, where prices have risen to more than three times pre-war levels.
The country has already spent heavily on spot cargoes since the war began, and higher LNG costs typically translate into increased RLNG prices and pressure on gas supplies for homes and industry as winter demand grows.
LNG shipments through Hormuz remained at about 30% of pre-war volumes in October.
