Pakistan‑Qatar LNG shipment via Strait of Hormuz

In late July 2026 Pakistan negotiated with Iran to allow the Qatari LNG tanker Al Areesh, loaded at Ras Laffan, to transit the Strait of Hormuz. After idling in the Persian Gulf for more than three weeks, the vessel entered the strait on 31 July with its AIS transponder active, signalling Pakistan as the final destination. The expected arrival was pushed from 31 July to 6 August, easing Pakistan’s acute energy shortage after it had spent over $400 million on spot‑market LNG since February.

By 2 August the Al Areesh successfully completed the transit, marking the first LNG ship to pass the strait since recent attacks on similar vessels. The passage was attributed in part to Pakistan’s mediating role in U.S.–Iran talks and Iran’s approval of the safe route. An empty LNG carrier from Abu Dhabi also completed a reverse transit, while additional tankers await loading at Qatar’s terminal. The shipment, priced below prevailing spot rates, is expected to bolster Pakistan’s power generation and industrial use, reducing reliance on costly spot purchases and improving energy security amid ongoing regional tensions.