Qatar is investigating a strike on a liquefied natural gas carrier in the Arabian Gulf, with Bloomberg reporting that a missed delivery could force Pakistan to seek costly replacement supplies.
Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (Nakilat) said unidentified objects hit its Al Mayeda carrier on Oct. 30. The crew was unharmed, the ship remained operational and the company reported no environmental impact. Nakilat said it was assessing the incident’s impact.
India’s Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said all 25 crew members were safe. Six are Indian nationals, he said.
Bloomberg reported, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter, that Pakistan had arranged the vessel’s passage with Iran. Iranian authorities approved transit through the Strait of Hormuz hours before the strike, according to those sources. Neither government has publicly confirmed that account.
Separately, Bloomberg cited tracking data indicating Al Mayeda headed back toward the Persian Gulf after the incident. The outlet reported that the ship was carrying liquefied natural gas for Pakistan. It also said other Qatari shipments had reached the Gulf of Oman in the previous month after Pakistan discussed safe passage with Iran.
Bloomberg said a missed delivery could force Pakistan to buy replacement gas on the spot market at prices more than three times prewar levels.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Nov. 1 that authorities had begun investigating the strike and would seek to identify those responsible. It warned of risks to shipping and global energy supplies.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack. Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said strikes on energy carriers endangered regional security and trade.
Nakilat is assessing the incident’s impact while Qatari authorities investigate the strike. Neither has announced a timetable for findings.
