Whalesbook
Pakistan's Critical Gas Supply Route
The Qatari LNG tanker Mihzem, carrying 174,000 cubic metres, is en route to Pakistan's Port Qasim, expected by May 12 according to LSEG shipping data. This is the second such vessel to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for Pakistan since tensions escalated. The first, Al Kharaitiyat, made its Iran-approved passage over the weekend. Pakistan urgently needs to secure gas supplies, prompting discussions for these limited LNG tanker passages.
Iran Grants Passage for Qatari LNG
Qatar is supplying the LNG to Pakistan under a government-to-government agreement. Sources indicate Iran has approved these shipments, reportedly as a measure to build confidence with both Qatar and Pakistan. Two more tankers carrying Qatari LNG are expected to head for Pakistan in the coming days.
Navigating Energy Chokepoint Risks
Qatar, a major global LNG exporter, has previously faced disruptions affecting its export capacity. The transit of Mihzem and similar vessels highlights the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz as a global energy chokepoint. Other companies, like the UAE's ADNOC, have also sent LNG tankers through the strait, sometimes by switching off tracking signals, illustrating the complex and high-risk environment for maritime energy transport in the region.