Qatar LNG tanker crosses Hormuz, heads to Pakistan after July disruptions

A QatarEnergy-controlled liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has crossed the Strait of Hormuz and is expected to arrive at Pakistan’s Port Qasim on July 31, marking the first such vessel tracked through the strategic waterway since early July, according to ship-tracking data.

The Al Areesh departed Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG export terminal after loading a cargo between July 4 and July 6, according to data from analytics firms Kpler and LSEG.

The vessel transited the Strait of Hormuz overnight on July 29 and is now en route to Port Qasim, with an estimated arrival date of July 31, LSEG data showed.

The voyage marks the first recorded passage through the Strait of Hormuz by a QatarEnergy-controlled LNG tanker since the Al Rekayyat was affected by disruptions in early July.

The movement is being closely watched by energy markets as the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and LNG trade.

Pakistan relies heavily on imported LNG from Qatar to meet domestic gas demand, with most cargoes arriving through Port Qasim. The arrival of the Al Areesh could support the country’s fuel supplies as authorities and energy markets continue to monitor regional maritime security.

Editorial note: I changed “exited the Strait of Hormuz” to “crossed the Strait of Hormuz” because the key news point is the vessel’s successful passage through the chokepoint. “Exited” can imply it was already inside the strait and is less clear for a headline/lead. I also softened “is expected to support” to “could support” because the vessel’s arrival does not by itself establish a measurable impact on Pakistan’s fuel supplies.