Gas carriers gathered at Qatar

Qatar is increasing LNG production, while 14 gas carriers have gathered at the country's main terminal. The Middle Eastern monarchy is counting on the imminent opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Qatar has increased the loading of liquefied natural gas to the highest level in the last few months amid the possible resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz," Bloomberg reports.

According to the agency, the average daily loading of LNG from the Ras Laffan complex over the past 10 days has amounted to about 80 thousand tons. This is the highest figure since March, when Iranian attacks forced Qatar to stop production.

The consulting company Inspired estimates that the gas liquefaction lines intact by the attacks in Ras Laffane partially resumed operations to avoid overfilling of storage facilities and to prepare for a possible resumption of exports.

"Activity was recorded at seven of the 14 LNG production lines in Qatar. Two lines damaged as a result of the attacks in March will not return to work for at least several years," Bloomberg writes.

Qatar is one of the largest LNG suppliers in the world and is stopping exports from The Persian Gulf has caused prices to rise by more than 50%. Hopes for the imminent opening of the Strait of Hormuz have not been justified several times in recent months.

Nevertheless, gas carriers are gathering around Qatar. According to AIS of vessels, 14 LNG tankers are at anchor near Ras Laffan on August 13 at once, which can carry 1.3−1.4 billion cubic meters of gas in the form of LNG.