May 27, 2026 — Another tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz, marking a recent increase in energy shipments through this crucial...
May 27, 2026 — Another tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz, marking a recent increase in energy shipments through this crucial waterway.
The Umm Al Ashtan, managed by Adnoc Logistics & Services, was tracked northwest of Muscat, Oman, with its cargo destined for India. It had stopped transmitting signals around May 2 while previously idling and empty near the eastern entrance to Hormuz.
Satellite images indicate that the tanker likely loaded its cargo at Adnoc's Das Island export facility in the Persian Gulf before it resumed broadcasting its location. These images reveal that LNG carriers have been arriving at Das Island, despite vessels not sending out their positions near this site.
This movement of ships comes during a brief increase in energy traffic through Hormuz, with at least two non-Iranian oil supertankers leaving the Persian Gulf. Since the conflict in Iran began in late February, LNG traffic has been almost completely blocked through the strait, cutting off about 20% of the global supply of the fuel.
Adnoc has exported three additional shipments from the Persian Gulf, with those tankers also ceasing to transmit their locations while passing through this area. The latest shipment is currently arriving in western India. Adnoc L&S stated in an email that they typically do not comment on the positions, movements, or routes of their vessels.
However, these recent transits still represent only a small portion of pre-war activity when around three tankers carrying this super-cooled fuel used to pass through Hormuz each day, mostly exporting from the larger producer Qatar.