Pakistan-bound LNG carrier struck near Strait of Hormuz

A Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier heading to Pakistan was struck near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, October 30, raising fresh concerns over energy supplies amid heightened regional tensions.

The Al Mayeda, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel carrying LNG from Qatar, was hit just hours after Iranian authorities reportedly approved its passage following negotiations with Pakistan, according to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter.

The ship subsequently turned back toward the Persian Gulf, according to ship-tracking data cited by Bloomberg. The circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, as does whether the shipment will reach Pakistan.

What happened to the vessel and its crew?

Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the incident as a projectile attack and said all 25 crew members aboard the vessel, including six Indian nationals, were safe.

Nakilat, the Qatari shipping company, said the vessel was hit by unidentified objects and remains operational. No crew members were injured, and there was no environmental impact, the company said.

Qatar condemned the attack on Sunday, saying authorities had launched an investigation to determine the circumstances and identify those responsible.

How much LNG has Pakistan imported since March?

Pakistan received 21 LNG cargoes between March and October, including 14 under long-term agreements with Qatar and seven purchased on the spot market. Before the Middle East conflict, the country typically received eight to 10 Qatari cargoes a month. The sharp decline has raised concerns about future gas supplies.

Pakistan has two long-term LNG supply agreements with Qatar, originally priced at 13.37% and 10.2% of Brent crude, respectively.

Further disruptions could complicate Pakistan's efforts to maintain LNG deliveries and meet domestic energy requirements.