Qatar accelerates the return of empty LNG transport ships to grab back exports. Will 20% of global LNG supply soon return?

As Qatar seeks to restore its share of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, which accounts for about one-fifth of the total, the country is stepping up efforts to bring back more empty LNG carriers. According to compiled ship tracking data, three LNG carriers owned by Qatar's state shipping company are currently located in the Gulf of Oman, near the eastern entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. Five other vessels associated with the country are near the eastern waters of Oman, and several more ships are en route. As the world's second largest LNG exporter before the global conflict between the US and Iran erupted, Qatar temporarily suspended exports due to attacks on large liquefaction facilities, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the interruption of international shipping routes. Doha plans to restore most of its production capacity within two months of the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Ship data shows that at least three empty LNG carriers associated with the country have crossed the strait in the past week. Prior to this, Qatar had not sent any empty LNG carriers into the Persian Gulf for safety reasons. Qatar has managed to maintain a certain level of exports. In the week leading up to June 19, the country exported over 300,000 tons of LNG, the highest level since early March, but still only about one-fifth of the export volume before the US-led coalition targeted Iran at the end of February. The decision to recall transport ships coincides with the signing of a temporary peace agreement between the US and Iran, agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, raising expectations for increased shipping in the strait. According to the latest statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bagaei announced that Iran and the US reached an agreement document after 18 hours of negotiations, and the text will be released by the two mediators Qatar and Pakistan. Bagaei stated on June 22 that the Iran-US negotiations discussed the groundwork for starting final agreement negotiations. All parties agreed that the technical working groups will continue to work on the issues needed to effectively implement the Iran-US memorandum of understanding. "The work of the negotiation team ends here." The restart process of the world's largest LNG export terminal - Ras Laffan - is closely watched, as its rapid capacity restoration will help to stabilize international gas prices. Meanwhile, QatarEnergy, the operator of Ras Laffan, announced that an accident occurred during the startup process, with a gas supply facility in Barzan exploding and causing a fire last Sunday. The facility primarily supplies fuel for domestic industrial and power generation purposes, and it is currently unclear whether this incident will affect LNG production.