Three LNG cargoes from Qatar and the UAE have been transferred between vessels outside the Strait of Hormuz as disruption continues to affect LNG shipping in the region.
The transfers took place in August and involved cargoes ultimately destined for India and Japan, according to ship-tracking data from Vortexa and Kpler cited by Reuters.
Ship-to-ship (STS) LNG transfers are relatively unusual compared with the more established practice in crude oil, but provide an additional logistical option when conventional shipping routes are disrupted.
The LNG carrier GasLog Shanghai, which was involved in an incident while exiting the Strait on 31 July, completed an STS transfer with GasLog Savannah off Oman in late August.
The cargo had been loaded at Qatar’s Ras Laffan export terminal, with both vessels controlled by Greek shipowner GasLog.
A second QatarEnergy-controlled vessel, Al Rekayyat, transferred its cargo to fellow Qatari LNG carrier Tembek off the east coast of the UAE in mid-August.
Al Rekayyat had been hit by a projectile near the Strait . Tembek subsequently delivered the cargo to India’s Dahej LNG terminal on 31 August.
The third transfer involved ADNOC-controlled Mraweh, which loaded at Das Island before transferring its cargo to LNG Enugu off Oman. LNG Enugu is now heading towards Futtsu, Japan.
Why use STS?
While the latest transfers are a response to the disruption around Hormuz, STS operations are an established part of LNG logistics and are not limited to emergency cargo movements.
STS transfers allow cargo to be moved between two vessels without requiring it to pass through an onshore terminal. They can be used for cargo optimisation, storage and transshipment, as well as when a vessel is unable to complete its intended voyage.
Carrying out an LNG transfer between two large carriers requires extensive preparation and coordination. The vessels must be assessed for compatibility, including their manifold arrangements, mooring systems and cargo-transfer equipment.
The cryogenic nature of LNG adds further complexity. LNG is typically carried at around -162°C, meaning transfer equipment and procedures must be designed to handle the extremely cold cargo.
Emergency shutdown systems, communications and contingency procedures are also central to the operation.
Weather and sea conditions can affect the safety of an STS operation, with wind, waves, currents and vessel movement potentially affecting the ability of two carriers to remain safely alongside one another during cargo transfer.
The GasLog Shanghai was one of the ships involved in an STS LNG transfer ©Samt mendher/Marine Traffic
Industry guidance for LNG STS operations covers areas including risk assessment, vessel compatibility, communications, mooring, cargo transfer and emergency response.
The latest Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum, Chemicals and Liquefied Gases, published in 2025 by SIGTTO, OCIMF, the International Chamber of Shipping and CDI, includes guidance for transfers involving liquefied gases.
Qatar is particularly exposed to the disruption. LNG has historically accounted for around 83% of total government revenue, while production at Ras Laffan has already been affected by the conflict.
Train 5 at the complex went offline , according to Energy Aspects and Kayrros LNG intelligence monitoring.
That flexibility is important while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely restricted. Reuters reported that only four commodity vessels transited the waterway on Tuesday, compared with a 10-day average of around 13.
For Qatar and the UAE, avoiding Hormuz altogether presents a major challenge because of their reliance on Gulf export infrastructure. Hope of a deal have since drifted into a negotiations stalemate, and the last 24 hours has seen a marked escalation with attacks in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the G20 finance ministers meeting in North Carolina that the US will probably announce action on banks with links to the Iranian regime in the next two weeks, as the Trump administration seeks to “asphyxiate” the regime’s economy.
“In two years, the Strait of Hormuz will be a worthless piece of water. The oil will be going on pipelines across the land,” he said.
STS transfers are likely to remain a supporting part of LNG logistics rather than a replacement for dedicated infrastructure. For markets seeking greater flexibility in receiving and storing LNG, floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) can provide an alternative to conventional import terminals.
The impact of the conflict is also extending beyond LNG. Qatar’s reduced production and the disruption to its exports have contributed to pressure on the global helium market, with supply concerns being felt in markets as far away as .
