Qatar is resuming maritime traffic in its territorial waters
The Qatari Ministry of Transport has officially announced the full resumption of navigation for all types of vessels in its territorial waters.
The new regulations take effect on Sunday, April 12, marking the end of a prolonged period of restrictions.
According to an official statement from the ministry on social media platform X, vessel traffic will be strictly regulated by time slots. Civil navigation is permitted exclusively during daylight hours—from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
Separate rules have been established for the country’s fishing fleet.
“Vessels with fishing licenses are permitted to sail throughout the day,” the ministry clarified, ensuring support for the local fishing industry.
This decision is critically important for the global energy market. Previously, Qatar was forced to shut down the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export facility following an Iranian attack in early March.
Due to the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a result of active hostilities, Qatari tankers had not set sail for over a month. This caused significant strain on energy supply chains to European and Asian countries.
The resumption of shipping indicates a certain stabilization of the security situation in the region.
Qatari authorities hope that a return to the regular shipping schedule will allow them to quickly make up for the logistical losses of recent weeks.
As a reminder, Qatar successfully repelled an Iranian air attack and shot down two Su-24 aircraft.
The state-owned energy company QatarEnergy temporarily suspended liquefied natural gas production following an Iranian drone attack on its facility in Ras Laffan. At the same time, a drone strike also hit another energy facility in Mesaieed, south of Doha. Qatar’s Ministry of Defense reported that damage assessments are ongoing.
Additionally, explosions and missile strikes have occurred for the third consecutive day in the Middle East.
The U.S. confirmed that Kuwaiti air defense forces accidentally shot down three American fighter jets.
