International Desk – Liquid natural gas (LNG) tankers are continuing to transit the vital Strait of Hormuz in increasing numbers, demonstrating remarkable resilience despite a fresh outbreak of military conflict between Iran and the United States.
Data from global ship-tracking agencies reveals that at least five major LNG tankers—linked to nations including Qatar, Greece, and China—have successfully entered the strategic choke point amid the ongoing geopolitical friction.
According to maritime intelligence firms Kpler and LSEG, at least five empty LNG carriers navigated into the strait over the last two days, directly traversing an area impacted by recent hostilities.
Among the identified vessels actively operating in the zone are the GasLog Shanghai, operated by the Greek shipping giant GasLog, alongside four vessels linked to QatarEnergy: the Al Samriya, Al Dafna, Al Ghattara, and Al Rayan.
While commercial LNG transit pushes forward, some nations are choosing a more cautious approach for their assets.
Japan’s Transport Minister, Yasushi Kaneko, confirmed during a press conference that 22 vessels associated with Tokyo—including six massive crude oil supertankers—safely exited the Persian Gulf between July 7 and July 9 to seek secure anchorage elsewhere.
The realities of navigating these contested waters have also triggered legal repercussions. On Friday, a Thai ship management company faced a formal lawsuit for allegedly endangering crew lives by operating in the high-risk strait.
The legal action stems from a March incident involving the commercial vessel Mayuri Naree, which came under fire while navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
The attack resulted in three fatalities, while the remaining 20 crew members were rescued and repatriated to Thailand a week later. Three survivors from that harrowing ordeal filed the lawsuit on Friday.
The situation highlights a deep-seated vulnerability for Asian economies. Nations like India, the Philippines, and Thailand constitute the backbone of the global maritime workforce.
As superpowers clash in the Persian Gulf, the safety of these trapped merchant sailors remains a critical humanitarian and economic anxiety for governments across Asia, even as the global energy supply chains refuse to grind to a halt.