Qatar may have ordered gas tankers to turn off their transponders in the Persian Gulf, according to Bloomberg
Qatar has reportedly asked gas carriers near its main liquefied natural gas export hub to turn off their AIS transponders, causing some vessels to disappear from radar in the Persian Gulf.
This was reported by Bloomberg.
The report refers to the port of Ras Laffan, as well as the surrounding anchorages, where ships were allegedly advised this week to turn off their automatic identification systems. One of the publication’s sources called this a security measure.
According to vessel tracking data, at least nine gas carriers have stopped transmitting signals near the coast of Qatar since May 11. This is an atypical practice for the LNG market, where vessels typically keep AIS turned on to ensure safe navigation and avoid collisions.
Experts note that amid escalating security risks in the Persian Gulf, energy companies are increasingly resorting to covert tanker movements.
It was also previously reported that some tankers loaded at terminals in the UAE may have turned off their signals while passing through the Strait of Hormuz to reduce the risk of attacks or interception.
Thus, energy routes in the region are increasingly shifting to a low-visibility mode due to the worsening security situation, which heightens risks for the global LNG market.
As a reminder, at least two Iranian oil tankers, the Hero II and the Hedy, successfully navigated the U.S. naval blockade and entered the Arabian Sea.
The U.S. announced a new operation against Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. military reported that it had disabled at least three vessels to prevent them from entering Iranian ports.
