Greek LNG tanker hit off Oman while exiting Strait of Hormuz

A Greek-operated LNG carrier, the GasLog Shanghai, was struck off the coast of Oman on 31 July while leaving the Strait of Hormuz, the vessel’s owner GasLog confirmed.

The ship remains in stable condition and no injuries were reported. It had loaded its cargo of Qatari liquefied natural gas at the Ras Laffan Industrial Complex on 27 July.

The incident marks the second attack on an LNG carrier transporting Qatari gas. On 6 July, the QatarEnergy-controlled tanker Al Rekayyat was attacked by Iran, alongside a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker.

The latest strike comes just two days after another QatarEnergy-operated LNG carrier, the Al-Areesh, successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian approval.

Strategic importance of the Strait

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with roughly one-fifth of global LNG supply normally passing through it. Iran’s earlier decision to effectively close the waterway had severely restricted exports from both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Qatar was the world’s second-largest LNG exporter in 2025, behind only the United States. A mid-June ceasefire announcement between the US, Israel and Iran had raised hopes that the strait would reopen. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at the time that QatarEnergy expected to return to normal production within a few weeks.

Those plans were disrupted by the attack on the Al Rekayyat. In late July, QatarEnergy extended force majeure on LNG shipments to European customers until the end of September.

Italian energy company Edison has been among the most affected, with 24 cargoes delayed since the beginning of April.

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