The Sohar LNG has become the first LNG carrier to successfully transit the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict involving Iran began on 28 February, marking a closely watched development for global energy markets.
The Panama-registered vessel, built in 2001, entered the strait on 2 April. Before its AIS signal was switched off, tracking suggested it was following a route close to the Omani coastline in the Musandam Peninsula rather than the path near Larak Island through Iranian waters that many vessels had recently been using with the agreement of Iranian authorities.
According to tracking data from Pole Star Global’s PurpleTrac, the Sohar LNG safely arrived offshore Muscat on 3 April, where it resumed AIS transmission.
No LNG carriers had transited the strait since the conflict began, a disruption with significant implications given that around 20% of the world’s LNG exports originate from the Arabian Gulf.
The vessel is operated by Oman Ship Management, part of Asyad, and is jointly owned with Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines. TankerTrackers.com also reported that two Oman Ship Management VLCCs, Dhalkut and Habrut, were moving through the strait at the same time. Pole Star tracking later showed both vessels had also reached Muscat safely.
