Qatar this week requested ships operating in the Ras Laffan port area, anchorages and port waters to turn off the Automatic Identification System (AIS). According to sources, this is a measure to ensure safety. The move seems to lead to a wave of ships losing signal across the Persian Gulf.
Ship tracking data shows that at least 9 LNG ships anchored near Qatar have stopped transmitting signals since May 11. This is an unusual move in the LNG industry, because ships are often encouraged to maintain positioning signals to avoid collisions with other ships.
Energy exporters in the Persian Gulf are pushing to hide the location of cargo ships due to increased security concerns as the conflict in the Middle East enters its 3rd month.
At least 2 oil tankers receiving cargo at the Das Island facility of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company recently also turned off signals when passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is almost still blockaded in the context that the US and Iran have not reached a peace agreement. Both sides have imposed blockades on the shipping route that usually handles about 1/5 of global LNG supplies.
Currently, ships continue to face security risks. The Qatari Ministry of Defense said that a cargo ship was recently attacked by drones in Qatari waters, leading to a small fire.
Previous attacks targeted large-scale LNG export facilities in Qatar. The country's Energy Minister once said that it could take many years to fully restore the facilities if they are seriously damaged.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has caused LNG flow from Qatar - the world's second largest LNG exporter - to be largely disrupted. Many well-informed sources said that last weekend, a Qatari LNG block passed through Hormuz after Pakistan negotiated with Iran to ensure a safe travel corridor.
The second ship - Mihzem - carrying LNG from Qatar and signaling that the destination is Pakistan, has turned away from the Strait of Hormuz after approaching the area on May 11. However, Mihzem has not signaled since midnight local time and it is not yet clear whether the ship will continue its journey across the strait or not.
