Update (as of April 19, 2026):

The five loaded Qatari LNG vessels referenced in the April 18 headline approached the Strait of Hormuz but have since reversed course or halted, according to the latest ship-tracking data. No loaded LNG tankers have transited outbound through the strait since late February 2026.

The vessels—Al Ghashamiya, Lebrethah, Fuwairit, Rasheeda, and Disha—all loaded at Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal. Of these, two were bound for Pakistan, two likely for India, and one had no confirmed destination. Four are QatarEnergy-controlled; Disha is chartered by India’s Petronet.

Initial approach (April 18): Kpler ship-tracking data showed the tankers moving eastward toward the strait’s western entrance, raising hopes for the first major outbound LNG shipments since the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran began. This followed Iran’s April 17 announcement that the strait was “open” during a U.S.-brokered ceasefire related to Lebanon.

U-turns and closure (April 18 evening onward): Iran subsequently warned ship captains that the strait was once again closed to maritime traffic. The five LNG carriers halted their advance; several made full U-turns (some heading back toward Qatari waters), while others slowed significantly. Bloomberg tracking data and multiple reports confirm the reversal.

This mirrors earlier failed attempts (e.g., Al Daayen and Rasheeda in early April), which also turned back after approaching. Iran cited the ongoing U.S. naval blockade as the trigger for re-closing the waterway on April 18.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for ~20% of global LNG trade pre-conflict. Qatar (the world’s top exporter) has seen production curtailed by prior Iranian strikes, with repairs potentially taking years. No new loaded LNG has exited the Persian Gulf since February, stranding cargoes and forcing Asian buyers (India, Pakistan, etc.) to seek costly spot-market alternatives amid elevated prices.

A fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire and mixed signals from Tehran continue to create uncertainty. Insurance costs for Gulf transits remain prohibitive, and market sentiment (including prediction platforms) shows low confidence in near-term normalization.

QatarEnergy has not commented publicly on the latest reversal. Vessel positions can shift quickly—real-time monitoring via Kpler, MarineTraffic, or Bloomberg remains the best source. This situation is highly fluid and directly tied to U.S.-Iran diplomatic developments.

Subsequent tracking (including from Kpler, Bloomberg, and others) indicated the five carriers approached but did not transit — some halted or reversed course after Iran reissued warnings about the strait being closed amid ongoing tensions and the fragile ceasefire. This echoes earlier failed attempts in early April.

Kpler is a leading independent analytics firm specializing in real-time commodity tracking (LNG, oil, etc.), using AIS (Automatic Identification System) data, satellite imagery, and advanced modeling for cargo movements, destinations, and market insights. Their LNG platform provides detailed vessel states, forecasts, and terminal utilization.

The situation remains very dynamic.

The situation remains highly fragile and contested.

The Hormuz chokepoint (normally carrying ~20% of global LNG and oil trade) is effectively restricted again, stranding new exports like the Qatari LNG cargoes and contributing to energy market volatility. Negotiations in Pakistan are expected to continue, with the ceasefire’s short-term nature adding urgency.