LNG Tankers Navigate Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Security Strains

Nine LNG vessels have exited the strait since February 28, with traffic showing a slight uptick in recent weeks. ADNOC’s Al Hamra carrier recently completed an inbound transit to the UAE’s Das Island after delivering a shipment to India, signaling that some trade routes remain functional. These passages often follow direct government negotiations with Tehran, which recently asserted that shippers must pay tolls to guarantee safe transit through the waterway.

The regional shipping landscape has shifted dramatically, with the prevalence of "dark mode" transits—where vessels disable transponders—surging to 57% of all activity, reaching a high of 65.2% in May. While this tactic was once exclusive to Iran-linked fleets, it now encompasses non-sanctioned commercial goods. Despite these adaptations, overall oil and gas outflows from the Persian Gulf remain well below pre-war levels as the industry grapples with the new risks of the chokepoint.