Qatar Gas Tanker Passes Through Hormuz for First Time
A gas tanker from Qatar has passed through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the first such crossing since the Iran war began.
The tanker is called Al Kharaitiyat. It loaded gas at Qatar's Ras Laffan plant earlier this month.
Then it exited into the Gulf of Oman. Talks between Pakistan and Iran helped make the crossing possible.
The gas is heading to Pakistan which has faced severe energy shortages. Iran had previously turned back two earlier Qatari gas tankers in April.
Iranian missile strikes had also knocked out about 17% of Qatar's gas export capacity. The Hormuz closure has caused global gas supplies to drop by around 20%.
Klear Note — The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. About one-third of world's sea-traded oil passes through it. Iran controls the strait and can block ships.
Key Terms 3
- Strait of Hormuz Narrow sea passage connecting the Gulf to the wider ocean
- LNG Liquefied natural gas — gas cooled to liquid form for shipping
- Ras Laffan Qatar's main port for exporting natural gas