Several Tankers Reverse Course Near the Strait of Hormuz as Vessel Queue Grows at Ras Laffan

At least four oil and gas tankers reversed course before entering the Strait of Hormuz on July 8, 2026, according to ship-tracking data from Kpler and LSEG. The vessel movements followed recent attacks involving commercial shipping in the region and have drawn increased market attention to potential supply disruptions.

Three QatarEnergy-operated LNG carriers — Al Ghariya, Duhail, and Al Ruwais — turned back before reaching the Ras Laffan export terminal late on Tuesday. Separately, an Indian-flagged tanker carrying approximately 2 million barrels of Kuwaiti crude also reversed course near the coast of Oman on Wednesday.

According to Vortexa, the number of empty vessels waiting to load at Ras Laffan exceeded 10 in early July. More than 50 QatarEnergy and ADNOC ballast vessels were also reported across the Middle East Gulf, India, and the Strait of Malacca. Some vessels have had their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders turned off for extended periods, a pattern that has attracted attention among shipping market observers.

Reuters shipping data showed that 16 LNG cargoes departed from Ras Laffan and 10 from ADNOC's Das Island after the conflict began in late February.

Not all shipping activity has been affected. Two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) — Tenjun, operated by Nippon Yusen, and Pride, operated by Pertamina — successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

Market participants continue to monitor vessel movements, loading activity, and developments in the Strait of Hormuz alongside LNG and crude oil markets. Shipping activity may provide additional information on regional supply conditions as the situation develops.test