Analysis: Stranded containers create global helium supply bottleneck

  • Gas
  • April 2, 2026

As the Middle East conflict continues, the impact on global LNG and helium supply is profound and evolving.

With no LNG produced at Qatar’s Ras Laffan plants , there has been no helium byproduct either – and that’s bad news for healthcare, electronics and aerospace industries which crucially depend on it.

Qatar accounts for around a third of the world’s helium supply and is estimated that the closure removes about 5.2 million cubic metres of helium per month from the global market.

It’s not only been a major production headache but a logistical one too – affecting fully loaded containers, those in the process of loading, and empty units.

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