Qatar Brings Empty LNG Ship Back for First Time Since War Began

By Stephen Stapczynski and Prejula Prem

Jun 18, 2026 (Bloomberg) –Qatar brought an empty liquefied natural gas tanker back into the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the war in Iran began, a sign that the key producer is preparing to ramp up exports.

The Al Hamla, which is owned by Qatar’s state-owned shipping company, appeared at the Ras Laffan export plant on Thursday, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The vessel stopped sending a signal near western India about a week ago.

The tanker’s arrival follows the signing of an interim