Two Qatari Tanker Ships Fail to Dare Pass Through the Strait of Hormuz and Have to Change Course
A pair of tanker ships carrying Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) changed course to Pakistan and were later seen circling in the Persian Gulf near Oman after attempting to approach the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (6/4). According to MarineTraffic ship tracking data, the two ships named Rasheeda and Al Daayen were moving from Qatar towards the Strait of Hormuz. This attempt marks the first time a Qatari LNG-loaded vessel has left the Gulf country towards the Hormuz Gulf since the conflict reignited in the Middle East due to the joint US and Israel attack on Iran on 28 February 2026. Ship tracking data then showed both vessels turning back before reaching the Strait of Hormuz. The data indicates that the tankers then listed Pakistan as the next destination, but their latest movements show uncertainty about whether they will make another attempt to cross the strait. Based on the latest available tracking snippets, the ships are located near Oman after turning back. This latest course change occurred because traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily disrupted due to the ongoing regional conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. The dispute has caused a significant drop in the number of ships transiting the strategic maritime route, through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes. If the two Qatari ships had successfully completed the voyage, they would have marked the first transit of LNG cargo through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began, according to ship tracking data. The Strait of Hormuz is key to most global seaborne oil and gas trade. Any disruption in this vital waterway has direct implications for regional energy markets and shipping. Currently, traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by Iran, in retaliation for the US and Israel attacks. On Sunday (5/4), Oman stated it had held talks with Iran about options to help ensure smooth shipping through the waterway amid regional tensions.