Qatar, Abu Dhabi Turn to Dark Transits to Evade Iran Threat in Hormuz LNG Shipments

QatarEnergy and Adnoc are adopting "dark transit" navigation for liquefied natural gas carriers, switching off tracking transponders to safely cross the Strait of Hormuz amid the four-month Iran conflict, Bloomberg reported June 2, 2026. At least four Qatari vessels made the passage in May without broadcasting their location, a practice previously nearly unheard of in the transparent LNG trade. The shift mirrors shadow fleet tactics used by sanctioned oil producers. The maneuverings began after US and Israeli strikes hit Iran in late February, trapping Qatari LNG exports. Cargoes have since slowly resumed, with captains and crews replaced by less experienced personnel. Buyers such as India and Bangladesh, grappling with power shortages, have been forced into the spot market, paying roughly double the price of a Qatari cargo. The use of dark transits reduces immediate risks for vessels and crews but raises long‑term concerns. “We are seeing the increase in dark transits and the escalation of risk,” said Windward analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann. Analysts warn the erosion of transparency could permanently alter the reliability of the global LNG trade, already shaken by two supply crises in four years.