Analysis: Stranded containers create global helium supply bottleneck

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.