The Mihzem ship carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar changed direction and left the Strait of Hormuz, although it still signaled that the next destination was Pakistan.
Earlier on May 11, a ship carrying a shipment loaded from the Ras Laffan factory in Qatar at the end of February moved to the area of the Hormuz Strait that Iran claimed control.
This development shows that the Persian Gulf countries still cannot export energy through the Strait of Hormuz in the context that Iran and the US still have a large gap in the framework for ending the Iranian conflict and reopening this strategic maritime route.
If the Mihzem's journey is successful, this will only be Qatar's 2nd LNG trip through this sea route since the Iranian conflict broke out at the end of February.
Previously, many ships had turned around when preparing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and some other ships were attacked while en route to the Gulf of Oman.
The Equasis maritime transport database indicates that the Mihzem ship, flying the Singaporean flag, is managed by a unit of MISC company.
Last weekend, Qatar made its first LNG trip across the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict broke out. This ship is approaching Pakistan. Two other Qatari LNG ships in the Persian Gulf area are also signaling Pakistan as a destination.
Before the Iranian conflict broke out, on average, about 3 LNG ships per day left the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.
