Iran Permits Second Qatari LNG Shipment to Transit Strait of Hormuz to Pakistan

Qatar has successfully dispatched a second large shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz, destined for Pakistan. The Singapore-flagged vessel, identified as the Mihzem, safely exited the Persian Gulf and is currently operating in the Gulf of Oman, with tracking data confirming Pakistan as its final destination. This transit follows a similar movement last week, where the first LNG carrier cleared the strait towards Port Qasim. The successful passage occurs amidst heightened regional tensions linked to the ongoing Iran war, which has previously caused disruptions in maritime traffic. Notably, the Mihzem had temporarily ceased transmitting positioning signals while navigating the sensitive waterway, a tactic also observed among other tankers loading cargo from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company facilities at Das Island. These measures highlight the security concerns affecting commercial shipping in the region. The arrival of this second shipment is critical for Pakistan's energy supply chain, demonstrating continued, albeit cautious, maritime cooperation between regional actors despite the broader geopolitical instability. The event underscores the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy logistics and the specific energy dependencies between Qatar and Pakistan.